Health Poverty Action, known as Health Unlimited prior to 2010, was founded in 1984 by a group of British doctors working for large aid organisations in Afghanistan. They recognised the strong link between health and conflict. Front lines make headlines, but over the longer term the impact of conflict on health claims more lives than bullets.
Health Poverty Action began providing healthcare in southern Afghanistan in 1984 during the Soviet war. During conflicts it is the poorest and most marginalised who suffer most, as they often live in remote and inaccessible areas. Health Poverty Action works in some very difficult environments and often provide the only external assistance to marginalised people, including:
- Remote communities in southern Afghanistan during the conflict of the 1980s and early 1990s
- The Karen, Kachin and Wa in the hills of Burma for more than 15 years
Today, Health Poverty Action works in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. We have developed strong relationships with many indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities struggling for survival or caught up in conflicts. Follow the Programmes link at the top of the page to learn more about our current programmes.
Changing our name from Health Unlimited to Health Poverty Action
In 2010 we refreshed our identity. For the 25 years prior, ‘Health Unlimited’ served us well, but we increasingly found that it doesn’t easily describe what kind of organisation we are. As a result we changed our name to Health Poverty Action.
With the name ‘Health Unlimited’ people simply didn’t recognise who we were or what we did. We were mistaken for a health insurance company, a gym and a health food store!
Health Poverty Action was chosen because it best reflected who we are and what we do. This new identity marks us as an organisation that cares about health, cares about the poorest and does everything it possibly can to make a difference.
We have changed our name to Health Poverty Action in the UK and the new name will be gradually introduced in the countries where we work in Asia, Latin America and Africa. There are some complex logistical challenges for our country offices in doing this, so we want to make sure it is done properly even if this takes time.
The Alma-Ata principles
“The existing gross inequality in the health status of the people, particularly between developed and developing countries, as well as within countries, is politically, socially and economically unacceptable and is, therefore, of common concern to all…”
In 1978 a UN Conference on Primary Health Care met in Alma-Ata, which is now in Kazakhstan. The resulting Alma-Ata Declaration was a historic achievement for activists and officials. The principles laid down at Alma-Ata include:
- A commitment to accessible and appropriate comprehensive primary healthcare
- The importance of a multi-sectoral approach such as improving household food security and access to clean water, providing education, strengthening the voice of women and economic development
- The principle of equality and a rights-based approach
- The use of technology and techniques that are socially and culturally acceptable
- Accountability and community involvement
- Campaigning for economic justice, peace and reduced military expenditure – with environmental issues a certain addition for today’s context.
Thirty years on, Health Poverty Action’s beliefs and values still resonate very strongly with these principles. They provide a powerful tool with which to hold governments and decision-makers to account, and with which to challenge ourselves.
Last modified: 07/12/2011
