People's Health Movement South Africa

South African Human Rights Commission Submissions

People's Health Movement in partnership with other organizations made a submission on the Social Aspects of Health in the Western Cape.

The People’s Health Movement is a global network of civil society groups, researchers, trade unions, activists and workers involved in health. PHM believes that “The true indicator of the state of a nation is the health of its people”, in that the health of a nation is a reflection of enlightened and equitable social policies, compassionate communities, a caring leadership and a social system based on the indisputable value of human life. In short, we are committed to health as a right.

“Health is a social, economic and political issue and above all a fundamental human right. Inequality, poverty, exploitation, violence and injustice are at the root of ill-health and the deaths of poor and marginalised people.”
People’s Charter for Health

We are concerned about the single-minded focus on ‘growing the economy’ as the “cure” for all our ills. The time frame for that to benefit our people is too slow. People need food now, clean water now, a place to sleep now and access to health care now. We believe that the economy does not come before the people, rather, economic development should be a tool to benefit the people.