Prioritising profits reversed health progress

‘Instead of a health system striving to provide universal healthcare, a fragmented, profit-driven market ‘non-system’ has emerged. The 1980s’ neo-liberal counter-revolution against the historic 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration is responsible.’

This story is well argued and contains several relevant and informative links under the following subheadings:

• Alma-Ata a big step forward
• Primary healthcare
• Lalonde Report turning point
• Neo-liberal ascendance
• Healthcare financing key
• Philanthropy rules

Read here (IPS News, Aug 24, 2021)

Rich country hypocrisy exposed by vaccine inequities

‘No one is protected from the global pandemic until everyone is’ has become a popular mantra. But vaccine apartheid worldwide, due to rich countries’ policies, has made COVID-19 a developing country pandemic, delaying its end and global economic recovery.

This story is well argued and contains several relevant and informative links under the following subheadings:

• Systemic inequities
• Leftovers now charity
• European hypocrisy
• New North-South divide
• Reject new apartheid, cooperate

Read here (IPS News, Jul 13, 2021)

For the record: Are Gates and Rockefeller using their influence to set agenda in poor states?

‘Study identifies Bill and Melinda Gates and Rockefeller foundations among rich donors that are close to government and may be skewing priorities... Ultra-rich philanthropists and their foundations have increasing influence on decision-making and are setting the global health and agriculture agenda in developing countries, according to a major study (pdf). Using their immense wealth and influence with political and scientific elites, organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and others are promoting solutions to global problems that may undermine the UN and other international organisations, says the report by the independent Global Policy Forum, which monitors the work of UN bodies and global policymaking.’

Read here (The Guardian, Jan 15, 2016)

Download report here (Global Policy Forum, November 2015)