Medical Associations of Southern Europe to Troika: Stop!

The Medical Associations of Portugal, Greece, Spain and Ireland have issued an “Open Letter to Political Leaders and Health Authorities of Europe,” decrying the disastrous effects of the austerity policies imposed by the IMF, European Union, and European Central Bank — the infamous “Troika” — on the health and lives of the people of their nations. 

Although still too polite about a policy which constitutes nothing less than genocide, such a call from the medical establishments of these four nations is unprecedented, and begs the urgency of a Glass-Steagall revolution to overturn financial policies which are killing people.

It is “unacceptable” that “decisions of critical importance for the economy and for social protection systems of a number of countries have been taken, particularly over the last two years, by the EC, the ECB, the IMF and national governments” without taking due account of their effect on national health systems.

“Social and economic crises of the magnitude now experienced in many European countries have well-known health implications:

“Loss of self-esteem, depression and suicide;

“Increased susceptibility for communicable diseases;

“Enhancement of risk-taking behavior both in terms of addictions and in relation to risk factors of chronic conditions;…

“Public services have been deprived of the funding necessary to perform adequately while community health needs are increasing.

“This is now happening: extensive and deep human suffering, and increased number of situations that defy the most basic and ethical concepts of human dignity.

“Deteriorating health systems — along with the emigration of the most qualified among the young, long-term unemployment, and depressed fertility rates — will very likely have long-term consequences, affecting future generations….

“The signatories of this open letter call upon the international and national political and health authorities to:

…”Ensure that awareness of the health impact of the financial and economic decisions adopted in the recent period, results in a rapid revision of such decisions, in order to urgently prevent further deterioration of the health and health services in our communities.

“…Mobilize and orient towards the Common Good, the extraordinary potential of intelligence, knowledge and innovation of today’s societies, rather than undercutting the health system’s ability to evolve, transform itself, better perform its function, become more citizen-centered, and respond to current and future challenges.”

http://larouchepac.com/node/25209

Signatures:

GREECE

Dr. Michael Vlastarakos, President, Hellenic Medical Association
Dr. George Patoulis, President, Athens Medical Association
Dr. Nikolas Maroudias, President of Hospital Medical Directors
Dr. Bodossakis-Prodromos R. Merkouris, President, Greek Association of General Practitioners: ELEGEIA Dr. Andreas Seretis, President of Central Health Council

Maria Augusta Sousa, nurse, Board of Directors, Foundation for Health – NHS
Dr. VÌtor Ramos, family doctor, pioneering team, Portuguese primary health care reform.

SPAIN

Dr. Juan- JosÈ RodrÌguez-SendÌn: General Practitioner and President of the Spanish General Council of Medi- cal Colleges.

Professor Dr. JosÈ-MarÌa Segovia-de-Arana: Emeritus Professor and Member of the Royal Academy of Medi- cine.

Professor Dr. Joan RodÈsTeixidor: President IDIBAPS of the Clinic Hospital of Barcelona.

Professor Vicente Ort ̇n Rubio: Health Economist and Dean of the Faculty of Economics of the PompeuFabra University in Barcelona

Professor Dr. Alfonso Moreno Gonz·lez: Clinical Pharmacologist and President of the Spanish Council of Post-graduate Health Specialization.

Professor Dr. JosÈ-Manuel Freire-Campo: Head of the Department of International Health at the National School of Public Health in Madrid

Professor Dr. JosÈ-RamÛn Repullo-Labrador: Head of the Department of Health Planning and Economics at the National School of Public Health in Madrid 

Read the full letter in portuguese & english :

http://www.inodes.eu/sites/inodes.eu/files/open-letter_PT_EN.pdf

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