Medact's submissions to the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq WarMedact has made two submissions to the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War which you can read by clicking here. The first in early January 2010 emphasised the lessons that could be learned by facing up to the consequences of the war for health workers and their facilities, including violations of international humanitarian law and a lack of relevant experience and expertise in the Coalition Provisional Authority. The second submission sent in May expaned on key issues that had been raised in the first round of public hearings from a public health perspective, and emphasised the relevance of this perspective for wider humanitarain, security and stabilisation concerns. 29/07/2010
The Refugee Health Network is changing!The Refugee Health Network has received a grant from Awards for All to improve its reach and ability to share information and campaign around issues of health for refugees and asylum seekers.23/07/2010
It is important that as many individuals and organisations as possible respond. The website can be found at http://respondtonhscharging.wordpress.com
Any queries can be directed to ezinda@medact.org22/05/2010
Nuclear power is not the answerNuclear power currently provides around 15% of the UK’s electricity. The government says we need more nuclear power to meet our future energy needs and to tackle climate change. However many scientists point out that nuclear is a poor way to reduce the UK’s CO2 emissions.
To find out more download this summeary written by Dr Ian Fairlie and Alison Whyte Medact's Media and Communications Officer.26/03/2010
19th World Congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in BaselIPPNW's 19th World Congress: 'nuclear abolition: for a future' will take place between 25th & 30th August in Basel Switzerland. Registration is now open! As Dr Bernard Lown said: "now is the time to give Obama a strong push toward nuclear abolition, the direction he wants to go. So come to Basel next August and make it happen!"
Click here for more details and to register.17/03/2010
You can join by emailing Tom at medactivist@medact.org or by visiting http://groups.google.co.uk/group/medactivist. Please remember to let us know who you are!
10/02/2010
Civilian death toll in AfghanistanMedact has written to Bob Ainsworth the Secretary of State for Defence requesting information as to how civilian deaths are being estimated during operations in Afghanistan. The recent civilian deaths as a result of the attacks on oil tankers near Kunduz only emphasize the dangers for civilians. We need more people to ask these questions - please click here to see these letters and write either to your MP or to the Secretary of State. Please let us know if you receive any reply. 14/09/2009
Challenging barriers to global health
Medact speaks out for countless people across the globe whose health, wellbeing and access to proper health care are severely compromised by the effects of war, poverty and environmental damage.
As health professionals, we campaign and we lobby governments, international bodies and other influential organisations. We call on them to take positive action on preventing violent conflict, improving health and on raising the standards of health care worldwide.
As a registered charity, our impact on the world’s health and health services relies on the support of our valued members. By becoming a member, you’ll:
Automatically make our voice louder and help us achieve real results
Become part of an international network of like-minded people who share your concerns on global health
Be kept up-to-date on how we’re using your contribution and on relevant developments across the globe, through our free magazine Communiqué, published three times a year. Join today
The Palestinian and Israeli affliliates of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), of which Medact is the UK affiliate, have issued a joint statement on the recent armed assault in international waters on ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Michael Christ, the Director of IPPNW, said "This statement is the product of a unique and powerful collaboration, with physicians transcending political and ideological divisions to speak out with a common voice for peace and humanity".
The statement calls for an international inquiryinto this incident and for an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza. To read the full statement click here.
The People's Health Movement in association with Medact and Doctors for Human Rights has prepared a report on human rights and health in the UK.
This report has been submitted to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). The Committee has responsibility for reviewing whether countries comply to their committments under the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. For more information .........
produced by the People’s Health Movement, Medact and the Global Equity Gauge Alliance in South Africa, presents an alternative view of health in the 21st century that is sorely needed. At a time of debates about the morality of bonuses and hedge funds, the links between present economic models and our health, including the health of the 40% of the world’s population that live on less that $2 a day, need to be clearly made. The report emphasizes the need to tackle the underlying determinants of ill-health and health inequalities, and to ‘watch’ and hold to account the governments and international institutions with responsibility for global health. For more information
focuses on the roots of the nuclear weapons problem - the continued possession of nuclear weapons by a small minority of countries who risk their use by design, accident, miscalculation or by terrorists, and whose weapons are an incentive to others to also become nuclear armed. More information
Medact communications advisor Alison Whyte has produced three information sheets that provide guidance on how to use the media in your campaigning.
Current titles include writing to the press, radio interviews, press releases available to download from the members area
Communiqué is mailed to all Medact members three times per year
Medact is the UK affiliate of International Physicians for The Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) Nobel Peace Prize 1985 www.ippnw.org
