People's Health Movement South Africa

16/06/2026

📢 JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT | RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA’S 7 JUNE 2026 ADDRESS ON MIGRATION📢

We welcome the President's unequivocal condemnation of xenophobia and his reaffirmation that immigration enforcement is a state responsibility grounded in the Constitution and the rule of law.

However, we raise serious concerns that certain elements of the address risk reinforcing harmful narratives around migration, particularly where irregular migration is linked, without sufficient evidentiary grounding, to service delivery pressures, unemployment, and criminality. In a context already marked by rising hostility and violence, such framing demands urgent caution and accountability.

We further call for evidence based migration governance, constitutional compliance in all enforcement operations and a human rights centred approach to asylum system reforms and labour policy changes currently under consideration.

South Africa’s constitutional commitment must be matched by consistent operational practice that protects dignity, prevents profilling, and ensures access to justice for all.

Read the full statement here: https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joint-press-statement-for-immediate-release-joint-civil-society-response-to-president-ramaphosas-address-on-migration/

29/05/2026

Join the Health Struggle For Palestine
Boycott the Israeli Medical Association
Healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank is under relentless attack. Hospitals, clinics, healthcare workers, and medical infrastructure continue to be targeted amid ongoing mass atrocities and displacement.

Around the world, health professionals are mobilizing to defend medical ethics, demand accountability, and support the growing call to boycott the Israeli Medical Association (IMA).

Join this international webinar launching a global campaign urging medical associations and health institutions to take a principled stand for justice and solidarity with Palestine.

📅 Date: May 30, 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00–12:30 UTC
🌍 Online Webinar

Speakers

* Professor Dr. Alpay Azap – President of the Turkish Medical Association
* Dr. Loes de Kleijn – Doctors for Gaza - the Netherlands
* Ubai Aboudi – Director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development
* Dr. Jonathan Fluxman – Independent GP and health activist
* Prof. Dr. Leslie London – Emeritus Professor, University of Cape Town & member of the South African Medical Association

Discussion Topics

▪️ Attacks on healthcare workers and medical infrastructure in Gaza
▪️ Ethical responsibilities of medical associations during genocide
▪️ Lessons from actions taken in South Africa, the UK, and Turkey
▪️ Building international accountability and solidarity within the medical community

🔗 Register for the webinar:

Webinar - Health Workers for Palestine: Boycott the IMA / 26 May 2026 / 0 Comments Healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank is under relentless attack. Around the world, health professionals are mobilizing to defend medical ethics, demand accountability, and support the growing call to boycott the Israe...

22/05/2026

🎤 Please join an exciting line-up of panellists for our next conversation in the SA Learning Alliance for the District Health System:
“From Disabling to Trustworthy Leadership: Towards Psychological Safety in the DHS"

3 June 2026 | 16:00 – 17:30 SAST

Register at: https://shorturl.at/9TyrY.

13/05/2026

We need more well resourced nursing colleges to address this crisis

South Africa's healthcare system faces an urgent crisis as thousands of trained nurses leave for better opportunities abroad. What does this mean for the future of healthcare in the country?

06/05/2026

The School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is offering a short course on Climate Change and Health from 19–22 May 2026.
If you are interested in attending, please submit your application via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/35ffapfh

22/04/2026

Housing is a key social determinant of health. We commend the Women on Farms Project for highlighting housing issues that are affecting the majority of Women who are staying on farms. Unhealthy home environments can negatively affect respiratory and cardiovascular health, mental well-being, infectious disease transmission, and injury risk.
The government must urgently address these conditions as it will improve long-term health outcomes. ✊✊

22/04/2026

More than 40% of Cape Town’s population is exposed to high or very high air pollution risk, according to a new UCT study that reveals sharp environmental inequa

16/04/2026

Today we supported Community Health Workers of Western Cape who took it to the streets demanding the permanent employment under the banner of Nupsaw.
Despite the court ruling, the Western Cape Health Department continues to favor the outsourcing of CHWs through NGOs.
The People’s Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA), expressed its full support for struggle for permanent employment.

CHW's struggles are not isolated.

We stand with CHWs in saying:

- No to slavery and precarious employment
- No to the outsourcing of CHWs
- No to the constant renewal of contracts and stipends

Its time for permanent employment, with benefits!

The work you do is permanent, and it deserves permanent employment. PHM-SA will stand with you until this goal is achieved.

23/10/2025

Are you a frontline healthcare worker who is passionate about Climate Change and Health? Join the short course being offered by the UWC School of Public Health https://url-shortener.me/7S96

15/10/2025

The University of Western Cape's School of Public Health is pleased to invite you to The Annual David Sanders Lecture in Public Health and Social Justice, on Wednesday, 22nd October at 17h30 (SAST), at the SOPH Building, University of the Western Cape.

The series honours the late Emeritus Prof David Sanders' legacy as founder of the SOPH and recognizes his considerable contributions to UWC and to the field of public health, both locally and internationally.

This year's speaker is Kevin Mwachiro, a Kenyan writer, podcaster, q***r activist and journalist, who will be discussing: Decriminalising homosexuality and supporting LGBTQI rights in African public health: Why and How

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/w1nwrJnScL1smj5b8
Livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9hzRI9RepA