Inputs to the students of International Honors Program (IHP) - ‘Study Abroad’ programme was organized by Community Health Cell, under the theme “Public Health situation in India and Civil society responses“ on 2^nd Feb, 2010. 

The IHP, provides students with the opportunity to study overseas in multiple countries for one year or a semester. It includes experiential learning, through site visits and case studies, complements interdisciplinary team teaching led by in-country and traveling faculty. The India Programme of 2010 is being Coordinated by Dr. Mani Kalliath of Basic Needs India.  

For brief report, please CLIC HERE

CHC through the Tamil Nadu Project Unit and more recently from Bangalore has made  environmental and occupational health a key area. CHC believes that its main contribution / area of interest in this field is working with communities, capacity building and developing structures for increased accountability of the health system to pollution and toxic affected communities. While the main focus of the work will be with people developing their capacities, developing systems for lay epidemiological work and raising their awareness of their right to health as well as their entitlements. Another aspect of the work of CHC is to mainstream these issues within the People's Health Movement. As part of this CHC hosted a workshop during the 2nd People's Health Assembly and is presently the coordinator of the Environment and Occupational health sub-group of the JSA.

Download complete report (doc) 

by Naveen I. Thomas,
Community Health Cell, Bangalore

 INTRODUCTION
The year 2000 marked the beginning of the new millennium. However it also marked the official end of a dream – the dream of ‘health for all’ as envisaged in the Alma Ata declaration of 1978. The dream and promise of ‘health for all’ was forgotten as countries were caught up in a new economic paradigm, where cost-cutting on social spending was the norm. This was manifested in the new prescriptions of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the programmes of the various governments like ‘selective primary health care’, ‘targeted PDS’, introduction of user fees in state-run medical and educational institutions, etc.

The goal of Health for All is underpinned by health systems research, but the subject is still ignored, says Ravi Narayan

Summary
Completing his three-year term as co-ordinator of the Global Secretariat of the People’s Health Movement – before it moves to the Middle East – activist researcher Ravi Narayan, a member of the Foundation Council of the Global Forum, speaks of the necessity for all groups working towards people’s health, including researchers, to listen to each other.

a) Solidarity with the outstees of Sardar Sarovar dam in the Narmada valley - (2004 onwards)

NAPM held a candle light vigil at town hall in July 2006 against the unjust submergence of tribals by raising the Sardar Sarovar Dam. CHC was represented by Premdas and Naveen. It was followed by a one day symbolic fast at Mahatma Gandhi statue by various organisations to show solidarity with the fasting adivasis in Delhi. Around 150 people participated in the fast and dharna. CHC was represented in the one-day fast by Premdas.

People’s Health Movement Global (2004 onwards)

Background

The People’s Health Watch Unit continued to host the PHM Global Secretariat on behalf of PHM India region for the second / third year. (This process of hosting started in January 2003 soon after the Asia Social Forum). The main activities of the year were as follows:

PHM Movement Mobilization

Country Circles
PHM Secretariat team continued to actively support the formation of country circles, or energize existing ones all over the world.