International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

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”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors
Guido Veronese 1
Ashraf Kagee 2
Yasser Abu Jamei 3
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
10.34172/ijhpm.8768
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
Colonialism
Global Health
Economic Extractivism
Health Subalternity
Gaza Genocide
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 13, Issue 1
2024
Pages 1-3

  • Received Date 18 August 2024
  • Revised Date 07 October 2024
  • Accepted Date 12 October 2024
  • First Published Date 13 October 2024
  • Published Date 01 December 2024