WEBINAR: “Why privatisation is bad for health. Experiences across Europe during Covid19”

26 May 2020 Paris, France 26 May - 26 May

WEBINAR: “Why privatisation is bad for health. Experiences across Europe during Covid19”

  • 26 May - 26 May
  • Paris, France

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the flaws and shames of healthcare systems in Europe. Budget cuts and privatisation in public healthcare systems have had evident effects in a critical moment. At the process Health, Rights, Action we believe that it is a crucial moment to meet, discuss and think together on the transformations we must impulse as a society. To take advantage of the moment in order to become stronger and more organised.

That’s why, together with the European Network against privatization and commercialization of Health and Social protection, the People’s Health Movement-Europe, and the Public Services International, we organise the webinar Why privatisation is bad for health. Experiences across Europe during Covid19, which will take place on May 26th at 6pm CET via Zoom, where you will be able to reflect with:

  • Vittorio Agnoletto, Medical Doctor; professor at State University in Milan, teaches “Globalisation and Public Health”, activist in Medicina Democratica, former MEP.

  • Manuel Galiñanes, medical doctor and activist at Marea Blanca in Barcelona

  • Véronique Lorge,nurse and trade unionist from CGSP (Belgian trade union of public services), and member of European Network against Commercialisation of Health and Social Protection

  • Luca Scarpiello, officer for health and social services at European Public Services Union (EPSU)

  • Facilitates: Chiara Bodini, metgessa especialitzada en malalties infeccioses i salut pública. Doctora per la Universidad de Bolonia centrada en el paper dels moviments socials en el foment de la salut.

Decisions made in Europe as a way out from the 2008 crisis, based on austerity, impacted heavily southern economies and their healthcare systems, which have been now specially stroke by the pandemic. Italian and Spanish healthcare systems were already stressed and stretched by budget cuts, and now have had to face the most complicated situations. These are only two European examples, but we may need to have a look at the details of other European situations. The gravity is evident when we learn that 50% of victims of the pandemics in Europe were living in nursing homes.

Social movements for the right to health have been long reminding of the need to defend a public, universal and quality healthcare system.