Third World Network, Oxfam International and Health Gap Coalition are launching a global online petition which we hope will demonstrate the strength of global public support for WTO patent rules that put people before the profits of powerful drug companies. The petition is addressed to George Bush as a leading international figure whose government is blocking changes and clarifications to the TRIPS Agreement that would mean cheaper medicines for people in developing countries. The petition will run from September 1st through to the WTO Ministerial in Quatar in November where it will be handed over to the US Government. Sign and support the petition which is online at the Oxfam website.
Governance and participation in health
YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE -
US TRADE POLICY ROBS POOR PEOPLE OF THEIR HEALTH!
Further details: /newsletter/id/28784
Contact: msayagues@oxfam.org.uk
WHO CIVIL SOCIETY INTIATIVE
In a response to pressures from civil society organisations (CSOs) internationally, especially through the People's Health Assembly held in Dhaka in December 2000, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has finally conceded the importance of engaging with CSOs. Commenting on the formation of the WHO Civil Society Intiative, Eva Wallstam, Director, said: "This is a time when the Health for All core values of equity, dignity and human rights, need to be more clearly articulated ... For WHO this means reaching out, beyond the formal health sector to other partners and to a wide range of civil society actors." The full text of her speech is available below.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28765
Contact: skoldm@who.ch
RESOLUTIONS: NAPWA CONGRESS
The 1st NAPWA CONGRESS which took place on the 25-27 May 2001, in Crown Mines resolved the following: Noting that there is still no clear policies with regard to treatment protocols for opportunistic infections and administration of antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS at public institutions, and NAPWA is not yet fully represented in all decision making structures of care and support, we therefore resolve that:
- The Government should make relevant policies coupled with the provision of treatment that is affordable to people living with HIV/AIDS.
- The health institutions should start providing a user friendly service which is conducive to unhindered healing process for PWAs.
- The Government produces a clear programme on home based care And offer relevant financial support to the program.
- Provide ongoing counselling to those who want to disclose.
- The government should provide nutritional and vitamin supplement
- And NAPWA to begin a process of participating in all government structures that make decisions on treatment, care and support at all levels of government from local clinic committees to South African National Aids Council.
- And that NAPWA should advocate and explore alternative treatment programmes.
AFRICA'S AIDS ACTIVISTS TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE GROUND
His skin itches madly from shingles, the thrush in his mouth makes it difficult to talk or eat and he has had chronic diarrhea for weeks, but South Africa's most prominent AIDS activist fights on. "There is no holiday from HIV," said Zackie Achmat, chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign, a group lobbying for affordable treatment for the 4.7 million South Africans infected by the epidemic. While 3,000 health experts, politicians and scientists gathered at the United Nations in New York this week to discuss ways to fight AIDS, Achmat and other activists remained on the ground in Africa, prodding their governments and their people into tackling the pandemic.
Interactive learning tool on participatory processes
An interactive learning tool on participatory processes at the national level for the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP) and other government strategies and actions to reduce poverty is currently under development. It is designed to provide staff from country governments, World Bank and the Fund, and civil society leaders guidance on participatory processes and outcomes at the national level through the 4 building blocks: poverty diagnostics, public expenditure management, macroeconomic reform and monitoring implementation and results of policies. This interactive learning guide on participation was prepared by the Action Learning Team of the Participation Thematic Group in the Social Development Department of ESSD Network. Please send your feedback and share your learning experiences with us: the Participation Group, Social Development Department, the World Bank.
Women and Power
by Irene Santiago
Underdevelopment as well as gender inequality is the story of power and powerlessness. The goal is to transform politics and leadership, so that women can contribute in the redefinition of power.
EAST AFRICA: Tapping into traditional health practices
NAIROBI, 21 May (IRIN) - The World Bank, representatives of US complementary health institutes and African traditional healers have
agreed to collaborate on the analysis and validation of indigenous health practices, including herbal treatments of HIV/AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Western health institutes and the Bank also agreed to discuss ways in which to build partnerships between traditional health practitioners and the scientific community, according to a press release from the World Bank's Indigenous Knowledge for Development (IK) Programme on 17 May.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28554
EAST AFRICA: Tapping into traditional health practices
NAIROBI, 21 May (IRIN) - The World Bank, representatives of US complementary health institutes and African traditional healers have
agreed to collaborate on the analysis and validation of indigenous health practices, including herbal treatments of HIV/AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Western health institutes and the Bank also agreed to discuss ways in which to build partnerships between traditional health practitioners and the scientific community, according to a press release from the World Bank's Indigenous Knowledge for Development (IK) Programme on 17 May.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28556
Women and HIV/AIDS in the 2nd Draft of the Declaration of Commitment
The Global Alliance for Women's Health submits the following proposals concerning women and HIV/ AIDS in the revised draft Declaration of Commitment on HIV /AIDS: The DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT ON HIV/AIDS would be greatly strengthened by citing explicitly Article 12 of the CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) in the pre-ambular section with text from the article and by incorporating equality language in at least the section, "Care Support and Treatment." Care, support and treatment are fundamental elements of an effective response and should be available [equally] to men and women [in conformity with CEDAW, Article 12].States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, access to health care services. CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW), Article 12.1
If you or your organization would like to sign on to these proposals please contact us by e-mail.
Contact: gawh @igc.apc.org