Health and Social care services

From today (23) until February 1, member states will be deliberating on a wide range of issues. PSI will be active at the Global Health Watch monitoring the public sessions and intervening on technical issues. The Global Health Watch is a forum for global civil society to question and challenge the influence of neoliberalism on health and global health policy.

"Unfortunately, if this measure is not reversed, the scenario for the next two decades is disastrous: chaos will be installed in the public health and education systems, while the privatization of the sector will be increased", says Jocelio Drummond, from Public Services International. Protests against the measure were severely repressed.

The WHO's announcement that the spread of the Zika virus is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is both a welcome development and a cause for apprehension. PSI is strongly of the view that this must not be taken as an excuse by governments to reduce much needed funding and attention prioritisation for building stronger health systems and crisis preparedness.

PSI affiliates across the world are participating in a series of activities today as 957 events are being held in 152 countries to mark World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2016. The theme of this year’s WDD is “Eyes on Diabetes.” This underscores the need for greater awareness by all and sundry on the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis, particularly of type 2 diabetes, and treatment needed to minimize the possibility of aggravated complications.

Health workers in Chad commenced an indefinite strike last week. The workers who are members of L’Union des Syndicats du Tchad, le Syndicat National des Enseignants et Chercheurs du Supérieur and la Confédération Indépendante des Syndicats du Tchad are demanding the payment of backlogs of salaries, and suspension of public finance recovery measures in the health sector.