PHM Africa Learning Space

Sunday, 24 October 2010 14:06 THE right to health must clearly be spelt out in the new constitution preferably under the Bill of Rights to ensure that everyone has access to health in the country, experts have said. The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), in its input document to the new constitution-making process, said the right to health must be clearly included in the new constitution. CWGH executive director Itai Rusike said the inclusion of the right to health in the new Zimbabwe constitution would be a show of commitment by the government in promoting social progress and better standards of life for Zimbabweans. “We see that embedding the right to health in our constitution will give us the bottom we need to make it clear that everyone has a claim to health care, regardless of the economic, social-political status, race, creed, gender or other features,” said Rusike. The CWGH recommended that the new constitution must have the right to safe drinking water and sani

The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH),coordinating the PHM activities in Zimbabwe has been doing a lot of field work participating in the constitution outreach meetings supporting the Right to Health Campaign in the new Zimbabwe Constitution. The Zimbabwe constitution is currently under review and input is being drawn on the areas to be included in the constitution. In 2008, national civil society at the Community Working Group on Health 15th National Conference demanded the right to health be included in new constitution, understanding the principle of progressive realization of this right thus the 35 national membership based organisations in CWGH including PHM Zimbabwe have been participating in the constitution making process through the 27 CWGH districts structures across the country. CWGH has also invited the 2 Co- Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Select Committee COPAC who are coordinating the constitution making process including members of the Parliamentary Port

Read the article on the link below: http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/tough-times-for-gays-in-uganda-1.687415

Dear PHM Friends Please note the correction on the email contact and plan for physical meeting in December not online. *** PHM Nigeria held its first online meeting on the 2nd of October 2010 attended by interested organisations in Nigeria. Each organisation gave a brief profile of what they do and their interest in PHM. Outcomes of the meeting included: - a steering committee was formed and adopted four thematic areas to focus on - to get more commitment from people and to really know those that are interested in PHM and circulate a form to be filled which would also help develop a data base. -possibility of registration of the Movement with Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. -possibility of a physical meeting in December. Contact details of PHM Nigeria: phmnigeria@gmail.com

A presentation to introduce People's Health Movement (PHM) to the civil society group was made on the first day of the event. The event was attended by around 140 participants - mostly from local NGOs. This is the first time a presentation on PHM has been made to such a large group of civil society participants in Ghana; and for many of them it was the first time to hear about PHM. There were very fruitful discussions that followed the presentation. Participants readily identified with the People's Charter for Health (http://www.phmovement.org/en/resources/charters/peopleshealth?destination=home), and discussed how they could mainstream the principles espoused in the Charter in their work. Copies of the Charter and Global Health Watch 2 were presented to the various networks that form the Coalition of NGOs in Health. And a number of people expressed interest in learning more about the social determinants of health, health systems, and the links between trade and health. Earl

Dear Activists, There is a debate question on page 14 of todays daily Nation where we are asked 'SHOULD HOMOSEXUALITY BE LEGALIZED IN KENYA AS MINISTER MURUNGI PROPOSES?' Please send your comments to mailbox@ke.nationmedia.com I urge all members of Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) and others to respond and send your comments. Let's support the minister. Regards -- Elphas From Kenya