PHM Africa Learning Space

People's Health Movement - Statement on the Public Sector Strike The South African Chapter of People's Health Movement(PHM SA)* supports the demands of public sector workers for a wage increase of 8,6 percent and a housing allowance of R1000. We call on the government to meet these demands, and to negotiate openly and honestly with the workers' representative in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The strike comes in the wake of almost 2 decades of severe restrictions in public spending, which have resulted in an escalating crisis in the public health sector due to critical staff shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and persistent inequality of access. This dysfunctional health system has to cope with one of the largest disease burdens in the world, with a shrinking life expectancy and an increase in the number of children who die before their 5th birthday. This massive burden of disease is underpinned by lack of progress towards the implementation of the socia

Public Statement - Issue Date August 19, 2010. Summary Review: July 2010 AU Summit Decisions on Maternal, Newborn & Child Health; Health Financing; Universal Access on HIV, TB & Malaria, & PMTCT. Africa Public Health Alliance & 15% Plus Campaign Welcomes AU Heads of State Summit Laudable Commitments on: Financing; MNCH; Universal Access; & PMTCT. Identifies 6 Key Areas for Emphasis & Country Level Implementation: Social Determinants & Vaccinations; Improved Per Capita Investment; Integrating Health, Education & Labour Policy on Health Workforce; Gender Equity in Health; Pharmaceutical & Commodities Capacity; One Primary Health Clinic Per Community. Calls for Timely Implementation of All Commitments by AU Member States. The Africa Public Health Alliance & 15% Plus Campaign has welcomed the laudable decisions by the recent July 2010 AU Heads of State Summit - on various health policies, and budget commitments especially the restatement of

QUESTIONING THE SOLUTION The Politics of Primary Health Care and Child Survival by David Werner (author of Where There Is No Doctor)and David Sanders (author of The Struggle for Health). This book is a useful resource in understanding and efforts to revitalise Primary Health Care. Visit: www.healthwrights.org/books/QTSonline.htm