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Commemorating the first National Health Assembly and JSA’s Initiation

2 Comments / Blog, West Bengal /

“A little over 25 years ago, the 1st National Health Assembly (NHA) was organised in November 2000 at Kolkata where the Janaswasthya Abhiyan (JSA) was launched. The West Bengal based Janaswasthya Sachetana Somprosar Samanway Samity (JSSSS) was among the organisers of the 1st NHA. To commemorate these historic events, a Janaswasthya Convention was held in Kolkata on 11 January 2026. The convention served as an important platform to review the journey of the people’s health movement and to discuss the present challenges facing the public health system in India”, said Dr. Fuad Halim, community health physician and member, JSA National Co-ordination Committee (NCC) who was also among the Convention’s organisers. 

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संयुक्त आरोग्य हक्क परिषदेतून – कर्मचारी संघटना आणि आरोग्य कार्यकर्त्यांचा एल्गार

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मुंबईतील म्युनिसिपल मजदूर युनियनच्या सभागृहात २८ डिसेंबर २०२५ रोजी राज्यस्तरीय आरोग्य हक्क परिषद  पार पडली. या परिषदेच्या माध्यमातून विविध आरोग्य कर्मचारी संघटना, ट्रेड युनियन्स, आरोग्य कार्यकर्ते, महिला संघटना आणि सामाजिक चळवळी आरोग्य हक्काच्या समान मुद्द्यांवर एकत्र आल्या. महाराष्ट्रातील १० जिल्ह्यांमधून आलेल्या १५० हून अधिक प्रतिनिधींनी या परिषदेत सहभाग घेतला. यावेळी आरोग्यसेवा हा लोकांचा मूलभूत अधिकार आहे, राज्यात सुरू असलेले खाजगीकरण आणि कंत्राटीकरण त्वरित थांबवले पाहिजे, सार्वजनिक आरोग्य सेवा अधिक बळकट केल्या पाहिजेत, आणि कंत्राटी व मानधनावरील कर्मचाऱ्यांना कायमस्वरूपी करून त्यांना न्याय दिला पाहिजे, असे ठराव एकमताने मंजूर करण्यात आले.

संयुक्त आरोग्य हक्क परिषदेतून – कर्मचारी संघटना आणि आरोग्य कार्यकर्त्यांचा एल्गार Read More »

Maharashtra joint convention of Health worker unions and Health rights activists

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The state level Health Rights Convention held in Mumbai on 28 December 2025 at the Municipal Mazdoor Union hall brought together a wide range of health workers’ associations, trade unions, health activists, women’s organisations and social movements on a common platform. There was a clear, united assertion from over 150 participants coming from across ten districts of Maharashtra: healthcare is a fundamental right of people. The ongoing processes of privatisation of various public hospitals and health services being pushed by the State government, as well as Mumbai and other municipal corporations, must be stopped immediately. This should be accompanied by ensuring major strengthening of public health services, along with ensuring justice to health workers, through regularisation of contractual and scheme based staff.

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People’s Resolve – National Health Rights Convention

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PEOPLE’S RESOLVE We The People, assembled at the National Convention of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on 11th and 12th of December, 2025 from different parts of the country, and state the following: Onwards we march … Towards health for all! Towards a Healthy and Democratic India, Without Discrimination, Divisiveness or Deprivation Health is our Right! Healthcare for people, not for profit!

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Why we must come together for the National Convention on Health Rights

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These are the best of times for those with power and corporate wealth, and the worst of times for the vast majority of people in India today. In these paradoxical and difficult times for public health, the National Convention on Health Rights (11–12 December 2025, New Delhi) promises to be an act of solidarity, resistance, and collective hope. Organized by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) in collaboration with a wide range of like-minded networks, civil society organizations, health professionals, community leaders, workers unions, social and health activists, this convention is being held at a time which signifies a turning point in the health movement.

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Chronicling Karnataka’s Jatha for People’s Health Rights

1 Comment / Blog, Karnataka /

Drug Action Forum Karnataka an organisation campaigning for universal access to free and quality medicines and diagnostics in Karnataka and Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana Karnataka, a people’s campaign for Universal Health Systems in Karnataka together decided to launch a statewide jatha (rally) in 2025. This was chiefly led by Dr. Gopal Dabade, a veteran health activist in the state. All the district level network representatives of various peoples’ movements were contacted and a detailed plan chalked out. Preparations for the Jatha began in August 2023.

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The Struggle for Vyara Hospital: Gujarat’s Tribal Communities Stand Against Privatization

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In Vyara, a town in the tribal-dominated district of Tapi in South Gujarat, a unique struggle is being fought today. The proposal to hand over the Vyara District Hospital to private hands to run a medical college has shaken the people of the district. Their opposition is not just to a single decision, but is a protest against a policy based on profit rather than public health. It is driven by the belief that everyone should have the right to affordable and good treatment. This struggle is not just about one hospital—it raises a deeper question: who is our health system really for? The people, or private corporations?

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How people’s power halted the World Bank–backed privatisation of Sadar Hospital Ranchi

2 Comments / Blog, Jharkhand /

The grandeur of Red Brick Lady Irwin Hospital in Ranchi has increased manifold now bustling with activities. This lady Irwin Hospital was established in 1933 as the only gynaecological and obstetric hospital of Chhota Nagpur. Later this was popularly known as Birla Hospital as about 210 acres of land were donated by the Birla group. Since that time, the hospital had been the only hope for the poor and tribal population of this area, especially for maternity related medical help. As time elapsed, this transformed into a general hospital, especially for treatment of rabies, tuberculosis, minor injuries and other common diseases.

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Taken for a Ride: Maharashtra’s Controversial Ambulance PPP

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Ambulances are meant to be lifelines for people in moments of crisis. Emergency ambulance services embody the state’s duty to protect lives. But in Maharashtra the State Government is outsourcing this essential service through large scale but dubious Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), and these lifelines have been converted into profit lines for private operators. In this article we discuss how the Maharashtra Government has entered into a major ambulance contract, where profit is taking precedence over patients, and corruption appears to be undermining patient care and staff welfare.

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