People's Health Dispatch

Bulletin #69: Dehumanization of healthcare in Palestine a prelude to ethnic cleansing

People's Health Dispatch -

This fortnight

Attacks against healthcare in the West Bank have reached unprecedented levels as masked Israeli soldiers infiltrated a hospital in Jenin and murdered three people. The event might be shocking, but it certainly doesn’t come as a surprise considering decades of undermining of the health infrastructure all over Palestine at the hands of the Israeli Occupying Forces.

Meanwhile, bombs and snipers continue to target health centers, hospitals, and health workers in the Gaza Strip. Healthcare in southern Gaza is collapsing, mirroring the fate of the North, amid sieges and ongoing obstructions of medical aid deliveries. Particularly affected is women’s and children’s health.

High-income countries’ governments may not be ready to sever ties with Big Pharma, at least judging from the most recent developments in the negotiations on the Pandemic Treaty. Yet, health activists in Europe are determined to push them in a different direction. A coalition of right-to-health groups and experts has announced a new initiative to build a network of public pharmaceutical resources across the region.

In Afghanistan, people are suffering from a double burden caused by decades of neglect of the public health sector during NATO occupation and attacks on women’s health services by the Taliban government.

At the same time, in Argentina, the Milei government is pushing for a set of policies that would significantly impact health services, including abortion.

The United States is experiencing a devastating period of healthcare desertification, particularly in rural and working-class communities. Maternity care deserts are endangering the health and lives of millions of women across the country, while the closure of pharmacies is denying many access to essential medicines.

In focus: Health in Palestine

Dehumanization of healthcare in the West Bank, a blueprint for ethnic cleansing

From direct attacks on hospitals to smear campaigns, health workers and facilities in the West Bank are facing a host of attacks by Israeli forces who seek to undermine the sense of trust that people have towards the healthcare system

Infections on the rise in Gaza as Israel impedes delivery of water, food

Shortages of food and water in the Gaza Strip are leading to increasing numbers of infections, while healthcare continues to suffer Israeli assaults. The Nasser Hospital and the Al-Amal Hospital, both key facilities, are under constant attack

Israel’s attacks continue to decimate ambulance and maternity services in southern Gaza

Israeli attacks on healthcare in the Gaza Strip continue, with violence increasing against health workers and patients in West Bank

Public pharma for Europe, a game-changer for access to medicines

A growing number of organizations in Europe is demanding a complete overhaul of regional pharma policies in order to protect people’s health over profits

Afghanistan faces multiple crises rooted in failure to build a robust health system

The health system in Afghanistan continues to struggle with a lack of funds and structure while pressures increase. Governmental policies and climate change and adding to the burden

Millions of women in the US are being left without essential healthcare

As maternity care deserts in the US expand, millions of women in rural areas of the US have been left without access to basic maternity care, including labor wards

Data speaks

Source: Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) Boston, https://www.instagram.com/p/C3DQClKuP_d/?igsh=dmp5NWV3bmEwazJy

Short reads

Right to abortion in Argentina under attack by government of libertarian Javier Milei

The discrepancies over Argentina’s new anti-abortion bill reveal the internal fissures in the right-wing block that has allied with Milei

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Public Pharma for Europe Conference - 15-16 March 2024 | People’s Health Movement
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