Confronting the Colonial Roots of Global Health Inequities in Gaza; Comment on “The Rhetoric of Decolonizing Global Health Fails to Address the Reality of Settler Colonialism: Gaza as a Case in Point”

Articles in Press

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 Department of Human Sciences and education “R. Massa”, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy

2 Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

3 Gaza Community Mental Health Program, Gaza, Palestine

Abstract

This response critically examines the editorial by Engebretsen and Baker, emphasizing the colonial underpinnings of global health as it pertains to Gaza. We argue that global health is not merely ineffective but complicit in perpetuating settler colonial structures that exacerbate health disparities. The health crisis in Gaza is intricately linked to Israeli occupation, challenging the reductionist frames of “conflict health” and “refugee health” often employed by global health institutions. The presence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Gaza exemplifies how international health efforts can depoliticize the crisis, as they often operate within constraints that do not challenge the underlying power dynamics. Our call for localization and self-determination highlights the complexities of achieving these goals in a context where the state is unrecognized. To effect meaningful change, global health must confront and dismantle the colonial structures underpinning health inequities in Gaza, moving beyond superficial humanitarian approaches to advocate for justice and autonomy. 

Keywords

References

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International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 13 October 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 07 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 12 October 2024
  • First Publish Date: 13 October 2024

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