From Palestine to practice: building a model for healthcare worker activism in genocide and public health crises
1
Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine - South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Department of Health, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3288
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Genocide remains a catastrophic threat to global public health, with mortality and long-term population health impacts far exceeding those of other emergencies.1,2 Public health advocacy is central to prevention, identifying risk factors, mobilising multisectoral action, and demanding accountability.3,4 In 2025, the World Federation of Public Health Associations characterised the humanitarian emergency in Gaza as a genocide-related public health crisis and called on the global health community to act.5 Despite this call, professional risk, restrictions on freedom of expression, targeting of healthcare workers (HCWs), and political pressure have constrained effective action. Grassroots HCW movements, such as Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine – South Africa (HCW4P-SA), established in October 2023 in response to mass violence in Palestine, have emerged as critical stakeholders in advocacy, public education, and accountability.
AIM:
To share experiences of HCW activism and the model of HCW4P-SA and equip participants with tools to translate health advocacy into sustained, ethical action.
METHODS:
This interactive, case-based workshop draws on the experience of HCW4P-SA. The session combines short presentations and discussions across four case studies: formation of a HCW movement; medical ethics, healthocide and professional responsibility; challenging healthwashing and academic complicity; and building solidarity and collaborative networks. Participants will engage in guided reflection on advocacy strategies, coalition building, and sustaining action under political pressure.
RESULTS:
Participants will strengthen their understanding of genocide as a determinant of health, identify governance and accountability barriers in conflict settings, and gain practical advocacy and organising skills.
CONCLUSIONS:
HCWs possess unique moral authority and technical expertise to confront public health emergencies. By sharing evidence-informed, practice-based models of activism, this workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of the global public health community to protect health systems, defend human rights, and advance equity in contexts of armed conflict.
Genocide remains a catastrophic threat to global public health, with mortality and long-term population health impacts far exceeding those of other emergencies.1,2 Public health advocacy is central to prevention, identifying risk factors, mobilising multisectoral action, and demanding accountability.3,4 In 2025, the World Federation of Public Health Associations characterised the humanitarian emergency in Gaza as a genocide-related public health crisis and called on the global health community to act.5 Despite this call, professional risk, restrictions on freedom of expression, targeting of healthcare workers (HCWs), and political pressure have constrained effective action. Grassroots HCW movements, such as Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine – South Africa (HCW4P-SA), established in October 2023 in response to mass violence in Palestine, have emerged as critical stakeholders in advocacy, public education, and accountability.
AIM:
To share experiences of HCW activism and the model of HCW4P-SA and equip participants with tools to translate health advocacy into sustained, ethical action.
METHODS:
This interactive, case-based workshop draws on the experience of HCW4P-SA. The session combines short presentations and discussions across four case studies: formation of a HCW movement; medical ethics, healthocide and professional responsibility; challenging healthwashing and academic complicity; and building solidarity and collaborative networks. Participants will engage in guided reflection on advocacy strategies, coalition building, and sustaining action under political pressure.
RESULTS:
Participants will strengthen their understanding of genocide as a determinant of health, identify governance and accountability barriers in conflict settings, and gain practical advocacy and organising skills.
CONCLUSIONS:
HCWs possess unique moral authority and technical expertise to confront public health emergencies. By sharing evidence-informed, practice-based models of activism, this workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of the global public health community to protect health systems, defend human rights, and advance equity in contexts of armed conflict.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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