The coronavirus pandemic is plunging the world into an unprecedented health crisis. Everywhere, healthcare workers are doing everything in their power to combat the virus. In the Philippines, the Congo, Palestine and also in Cuba, our partners are working to prevent its spread and calling for a stronger public healthcare system.
Each of our partner countries faces other challenges, which make the fight against the virus even more difficult than in Europe. Poverty, inadequate access to clean water, a weakened healthcare system and military occupation all make access to healthcare and medical supplies very difficult. Investing in prevention is therefore the number one priority. And that is what our partners are currently devoting all their energy to.
Today, more than ever, they are counting on our support and on international solidarity. These are organisations with strong local roots, which, year after year, raise awareness, organise and mobilise in support of a strong public health system. In these times of crisis, they combine frontline work in communities with tireless advocacy for policy measures and decisions that benefit the population as a whole. And they will continue to do so once the crisis is over.
EFind out more about the fight against coronavirus in our partner countries:
> The fight against corona in the Congo
> The fight against corona in Palestine
> The fight against coronavirus in the Philippines
> The fight against Covid-19 in Cuba
Luttons for a public health systemthat strong across the world
The current global health crisis highlights, more than ever, the importance of having a high-quality public health system – to treat patients, identify those who are infected, prepare hospitals and train healthcare staff. Without community-based care and without significant support from the government, people’s lives are put at risk.
In many countries, governments have imposed severe cuts to public healthcare budgets in recent years. And they have gradually delegated some of their responsibilities to private sector organisations. But as these organisations are solely focused on maximising profit, they prioritise treating patients who can afford to pay. The result is a two-tier healthcare system: one for those who can afford it and another for those who cannot.
Today, the fight against the coronavirus is the most important thing. And if we want to be prepared for other health crises, we must also win another battle: the battle for a high-quality public healthcare system in every country in the world.
Find out more in our ‘Support the global fight against coronavirus’ campaign:
> how our partners are tackling the coronavirus
> what you can do
> why we need a strong public health service
