“The climate crisis is a public health crisis.” Activists block entrance to the Ministry of Health – Current Affairs

A group of around 30 student activists blocked the entrance to the Ministry of Health this Thursday morning. The action organized by the group “End Fossil” calls for better healthcare and calls for the end of fossil fuels by 2030.

Contacted by Lusa, a PSP source said that at 08:55 some members of the authorities were “taking the necessary steps” so that Ministry of Health employees were not prevented from entering the building.

In a statement, Joana Fraga, member of “Fim ao Fóssil” and medical student, says that “the main duty of health professionals is to worry about people’s health and well-being”. “That’s why I’m here. Because the climate crisis is a public health crisis, and if we don’t stop it, millions of people will die and get sick,” she warns.

The protesting young people recall the warnings from doctors and scientists, “which already show an increase in the frequency and severity of climate disasters and their worsening in the coming years, as well as the risks of new pandemics”.

In their speech, the students also talk about “waves of climate migrants in need of care” and reinforce that “the SNS cannot neglect those who need it most”.

“We also know that marginalized people are the ones who will be most vulnerable to climate chaos”, says Joana Fraga.

The medical student also states that there are “trans people who are already victims of discrimination by a healthcare system, which is constantly failing them”.

The protesting students promote chants and hold posters with phrases such as “Climate Crisis = Health Crisis” and “Without a future there is no peace”.

This protest is part of the “Student Spring to End the Fossil”, a wave of actions aimed at institutions of power that young people in the movement say “are failing”.

The action also has as its motto opposition to Israel’s intervention in the Gaza Strip. “This Ministry should be ensuring that the Portuguese government acts against the massacre that has already destroyed all the hospitals in Gaza and murdered hundreds of health professionals,” said Joana.