Bulletin #90: Medicine shortages and hunger in Gaza persist amid Israeli attacks; health workers' unionization strengthens from Pakistan to Europe

This fortnight

In Gaza, Israeli occupation forces have further intensified their attacks on healthcare infrastructure, injuring and threatening more health workers, including a team of Indonesian medics and staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital. At the same time, Israel continues to block the delivery of essential supplies, such as food and medicines, worsening the ongoing hunger and care provision crisis.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban authorities have announced plans to ban women from medical courses, further deepening the country’s severe health workforce shortage. This move is expected to have the greatest impact on women’s and maternal health services, which are already critically under-resourced.

Across Europe, the health sector is grappling with chronic worker shortages. A recent report from the European Federation of Public Services Unions highlights worrying wage disparities among health assistants—both across European countries and between workers in the public and private sectors—as a key factor exacerbating the problem.

Meanwhile, unionization continues to be a powerful tool for addressing inequities. In Pakistan, Community Health Workers have taken a major step by launching the country’s first national union uniting polio workers, midwives, and other community care workers, strengthening their collective voice and advocacy for better working conditions.

In focus: Health in Palestine

Gaza faces complete medicine shortage amid ongoing Israeli blockade

UNRWA’s medication stocks are expected to run out by the end of the month as Israeli attacks on hospitals persist and the blockade continues to deplete essential supplies

Children in Gaza face health crisis and hunger amid continued Israeli attacks

Children in Gaza are becoming increasingly hungry and unhealthy as the destruction of healthcare infrastructure exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases

Featured articles

Ban on women medical students in Afghanistan sparks concerns

Taliban authorities decided to ban medical studies for women, extending restrictions on women’s education, work, and freedom since returning to power in 2021

Wage disparities for healthcare assistants deepen Europe’s workforce crisis

Healthcare assistants across Europe face pronounced wage disparities, both internationally and between public and private sectors, exacerbating the ongoing health workforce crisis

Short reads

Pakistan’s community health workers form first national union

Polio workers, community health workers, and midwives in Pakistan have formed the first national trade union to strengthen their struggle for rights and better working conditions

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