El Salvador: social cost of neoliberal health reform

Despite eight months on strike against health privatisation,¹ popular marches, and a large electoral reverse, the Salvadorian government seems determined on privatisation. The Congress debated a loan from the Interamerican Development Bank to decentralise the Ministry of Public Health (MPH), which was denounced as concealed privatisation by political opposition. Compared with social security reduced cover (15%), MPH provides services particulary to the poor and extremely poor groups. Its privatisation would enlarge the already disconcerting exclusion of these Salvadorians, condemned by the system to consume the unique item that remains free and abundant in this country—waste.

(Translation of the sign “Well done Salvadorian . . .Consume yours with pride” campaign sponsored by Salvadorian Association of Industrialists, ASI.)