 | Health Policy Information on health sector reforms and commercialisation in developing countries, plus news and views on other global policies with implications for health service development - global funds, Millennium Challenge Account, World Bank WDR 2004, World Bank Private Sector Development Strategy, WHO Commission on Macro-economics and Health. Also... more information on the People's Health Movement. You can find more information on Health Policy by visiting the archive. |
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March for Mothers on Saturday 29th June Greenwich Park
Take part in March for Mothers on Saturday 29th June to improve maternal health for women in the world’s poorest communities
Health Poverty Action has teamed up with Medact for March for Mothers London 2013 - a 5km family walk around Greenwich Park for mothers in the world's poorest communities. By registering for the event and joining us for a fun morning out, you can help ensure women across the world receive the health care they need to give birth safely to a health baby.
Why March for Mothers? 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, often because women find themselves a long way from the nearest health centre. For example in northern Sierra Leone a third of women have to walk over 5km - which is why we ask you to join us in walking this distance.
The underlying reasons so many mothers are still at risk link to global inequality and the social and economic causes of ill health and early death as described in the alternative world health report the Global Health Watch 3 www.ghwatch.org - to which Health Poverty Action and Medact both contributed.
For more details please click on the link - hope to see you there!
  07/06/2013
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The medical professional's rolein protecting torture victims: the case of Sri Lanka
This meeting, on May 22nd 2013 at 17.30–19.00hrs in Committee Room 4A of the House of Lords, follows on from the Sri Lankan case study in Medact's 'Preventing Torture' report (see link below). Chaired by Lord Avebury it will address the issue of torture in Sri Lanka and specifically the following questions:
Why is the medical profession in Sri Lanka not able to address this crucial human rights issue, and to defend its members’ ability to practice humanely and safely?
Why do the UK authorities deny protection to Sri Lankan refugees when there is clear evidence of torture?
RSVP to info@medact.org
For more details contact marionbirch@medact.org
Click on the link for more details
26/04/2013
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Sri Lankan returns ignore medical evidence of torture
On Sept 19th 2012 at 15.30hrs a chartered flight will leave the UK whose passengers include Sri Lankan asylum seekers being taken back to their home country. This is despite all the evidence - including medical evidence - that they will be at risk of ill treatment and torture. Medact has followed up on previous communications with the UK Borders Agency on this issue pointing out that the documents that they have assured us guide them in these cases (Country of Origin Reports (COIs) and Operational Guidance Notes (ONGs)) contain information that should prevent these returns. To see the latest news on this click on the link. To see Medact's latest communication with the UKBA click here and you can write to the LSE Asylum Policy Correspondence Team at LSEAPCTTreatOff@homeoffice.gsi.giv.uk Do let us know of any reply you get. Thanks
 19/09/2012
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Preventing Torture report follow-up workshops: the case of the UK
Following up on the publication of Medact's widely appreciated report: Preventing Torture: the role of physicians and their professional organisations: principles and practice, participants at a workshop on April 19th considered the recommendations of the UK case study. This was the second of a series of workshops on each case study in the report . For an initial report of the discussion at the workshop see the blog from Frank Boulton, Medact's Chair, who chaired the meeting, by clicking on the link.
26/04/2012
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Why would two NHS oncologists run 6 marathons in 6 days?
To raise public awareness of the dangers of the coalition Government's Health and Social Care Bill. Doctors Clive Peedell and David Wilson will run from Aneurin Bevan's statue in Cardiff to deliver a 'Postcard from Bevan' to David Cameron's constituency office in Witney, and to Andrew Lansley at the Department of Health. Join others in in a rally at either of these places to meet them. For more details click here.
09/01/2012
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Medical peace work prize awarded to Dr Sebnem Korur Financi
The 2011 International Medical Peace Award was given to Prof Dr Sebnem Korur Financi, President of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, for her courageous opposition to torture and human rights abuses. It was presented at the conference 'Medicine and Conscience' and jointly awarded by IPPNW and the International Medical Peace Work Network of which Medact is a member. For more details of the award and the conference click here
04/11/2011
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Refugee Health Network workshop at RCGP Annual Conference
To assist GPs to address the particular health and access needs of vulnerable migrants, including refugees, refused asylum seekers and victims of trafficking, the Refugee Health Network organised a workshop at the RCGP's Annual Conference: A Denial of Care: Primary Health Care of Vulnerable Migrants. There still appears to be confusion over entitlement issues in particular. For more details click here
04/11/2011
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New report from Medact: Preventing Torture: the role of physicians and their professional organisations: principles and practice
Medact's new report Preventing Torture: the role of physicians and their professional organisations:principles and practice was launched today with a Comment piece in the Lancet. The report considers how professional medical bodies can more effectively work towards eliminating torture, both through the support they give their members, and in their response to medical complicity. it concludes with recommendaitons for National Medical Associations and for the World Medical Association. There is clear evidence that there is still much to be done both to protect medical professionals who expose torture, and to prevent medical complicity in it. This report is part of a 'work in progress' to address this unacceptable siutation. Click here for the Comment piece in the Lancet or to download the report.
08/09/2011
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Legality and the Health and Social Care Bill
Medact member Gay Lee has helped put together a ‘pack’ to facilitate letters to MPs and Lords on how the Health & Social Care Bill will destroy the legal basis of a comprehensive health service. This includes a briefing, suggested draft letters to save time, and details of those it is especially important to write to. Writing one letter before the next Commons vote and before the Bill goes to the Lords in June could make a crucial difference. To get more info and this 'pack' please email: roz_dixon@hotmail.com. The briefing can be downloaded here .
19/05/2011
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Responding to the 'listening exercise' on the NHS reforms
Following the massive opposition to proposed NHS reforms the Government has launched a ‘listening exercise’ to hear more details about people’s concerns. Responses from many individual health professionals will probably have the most effect, and if members also send copies of their responses to Medact we will add them to others on the Medact website. Medact member Tom Yates has made a great start – not only commenting on the reforms and suggesting alternatives, but also raising questions about the consultation process. To see Tom’s response click download; to see how to make a submission click on the link
03/05/2011
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On International Women's Day raise you hand for a female health worker
Raise your hand for a female health worker today
To celebrate the 100th International Women’s Day, Merlin’s Hands Up For Health Workers campaign team is championing female health workers on the frontline, highlighting the remarkable work they do and the lives they save.
08/03/2011
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The Future of the NHS: whose choice?
Alarmed by the way 'choice' is being used to promote the NHS reforms, Medact has written a pamphlet which unpicks what is meant by 'choice', exposes how the increase in 'choice' proposed will increase inequalities, and shows how it is being used as a smokescreen for cuts and privatisation. Click here to download the pamphlet and use it to challenge this deception.
01/02/2011
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NHS Reforms - a sample letter
If you are short of time....click here to download a sample letter you can adapt and use when writing to your MP to express your concern about current NHS reforms.
25/01/2011
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Implications of NHS reforms for front line nursing care
27,000 nursing posts have already been earmarked for cuts and the NHS reforms will just worsen the situation for the larget group of healthcare prodessionals in England and their patients. Nurse members of Medact are requesting signatures for the letter you can download here. To sign please contact Gay Lee at greyhair@nildram.co.uk & Jan Savage at savagejan10@gmail.com by 11.00hrs on Friday January 21st. Do pass on to nursing colleagues that you know. Thank you!
19/01/2011
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Medact responds to NHS White Paper
Medact has responded to the Government consultation on the NHS White Paper - Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS. Medact argues that, particularly in financially difficult times, health professionals must be free to concentrate on the best interests of their patients, equality must be a major consideration in overall policy, and the founding principles of the NHS must be protected.
Download this file to read Medact's submission and click here for the White Paper.
Medact also made a shorter response to the Analytical Strategy which accompanies the White Paper - if you would like a copy please contact marionbirch@medact.org.
05/10/2010
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Background paper on the issues raised by the NHS White Paper
Medact has produced a background document summarising the main issues it is concerned about in the NHS White Paper Equity & Excellence: liberating the NHS which can be found by clicking on the link below . The background document, which will form the basis of Medact's response to the consultation - due on October 5th - can be found by clicking on Downlaod File.
If you would like to help us with our submission please join the discussion on our Medactivist group, which you can join at http://groups.google.co.uk/group/medactivist or by emailing Tom on medactivist@medact.org.
If you would like to take part but prefer to do so in hard copy, or for any other queries, please contact marionbirch@medact.org or write to the office.
23/09/2010
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Defend the principles of our NHS!
Following their comments about the UK National Health Service, Medact has written to Senator Chuck Grassley and MEP Daniel Hannan to question and ask for clarification about their views. We thought you might want to too! Click article content for a sample letter if this is useful. You can also download a file with some comments they have made and their contact details and link to a news item about Daniel Hannans attack on the NHS.
Do let us know if you write and if you receive any reply. Thank you.
09/09/2009
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Indoor Air Pollution - the killer in the kitchen
Indoor air pollution, caused by burning solid fuels such as wood and charcoal for cooking, claims more victims each year than malaria. It is the fourth greatest risk to death and disease in developing countries according to the WHO, and yet the international community is doing little to tackle the problem. Practical Action has launched a campaign calling for urgent action to tackle the killer in the kitchen. Practical Action is an international development agency which works with poor communities to help them choose and use technology for poverty reduction. For more information, and to find out how you can take action, visit www.practicalaction.org/smoke or click here
16/08/2006
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Letter to BMJ
A letter, signed by Medact, the BMA and Unison among others, urging the Prime Minister to keep to the promises made on health systems at the last G8. Please click on the website link below.
17/07/2006
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Social determinants of health inequalities
This article gives more background to the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health and emphasises, using clear evidence, the need to put wider social policy at the heart of addressing health inequalities.
17/07/2006
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Commission on Social Determinants of Health
The Commission on the Social Determinents of Health (CSDH) was launched in 2005 in recognition of the need to do something about gross health inequalities both within and between nations. The Commission is charged with recommending interventions and policies to narrow these inequalities through action on the social determinents of health. To find out more about the Commission and its nine Knowledge Networks click here.....
17/07/2006
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Health Worker Migration - a human rights analysis
Medact has launched two papers on the 'skills drain' of health professionals from the developing world, examining the economic, governance and human rights issues that surround this controversial issue. It proposes restitution as a solution and undertakes a comprehensive human rights check. The first report considers the issues in a rights framework.
24/06/2006
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Health Worker Migration - a Medact report on policy formulation
Kwadwo Mensah, Maureen Mackintosh and Leroi Henry propose a new framework for policy formulation in response to health worker migration - a response which does not limit health workers' ability to migrate but which does place obligations on rich country governments to help poor countries sustain effective health care.
24/06/2005
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