World Health Day : An initiative by the World Health Organization.
Health refers to a person’s overall well being- physical, mental, and social. It is vital for a person’s functioning. It is not just the objective to live but the availability of resources to sustain our lives. The world is faced with many challenges; with the emergence of Coronavirus to even pre-existing ones such as Ebola, malaria, and dengue.
World Health Day is an initiative by the World Health Organization. Commemorated every April 7th, it is a day to spread awareness on global health. The decision to celebrate this day on April 7th was decided upon by the first World Health Council that was held by the World Health Organization in 1948 and was put into effect in 1950. World health day aims to raise awareness on specific health issues. Each year a particular theme is decided upon and celebrated across the world. It is also aimed at talking about mental health as well as the impact of climate change as well.
The World Health organization has eight global campaigns to draw attention to critical health issues of which world health day is one of them. On this day, educational institutions organize events for students regarding good health and hold outdoor activities to promote a better lifestyle. Hospitals put up posters about how to have a good and healthy life. Doctors encourage patients to get regular checkups and take care of their health. Hospitals also give free vaccinations to children and free checkups to promote this day. Various NGOs invite health workers to spread awareness. Health workers pledge towards a healthier future and addressing health issues that are faced in today’s world.
Each year world health day has a different theme, bringing attention towards that particular health issue. Some of the previous themes included ‘Depression: Let’s talk,’ ‘Food Safety,’ and ‘Mental Health: Stop exclusion, dare to care’. The then for 2019’s world health day was ‘Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere.’ 2020 is witnessing the deadly pandemic COVID-19, and the theme for its world health day is ‘International year of the nurses and midwives’ with the tagline ‘Support nurses and midwives.’
This is to celebrate the contributions that nurses and midwives make to have a healthier world that often goes unnoticed. They are at the forefront of the battle against the deadly pandemic and risk their lives every day for the betterment of mankind. The World Health Organization also launched its first-ever State of the World’s Nursing Report to provide information on their contributions, which will also help the future generations.
World health day is a critical and necessary initiative to ensure we are aware of our health care so that we, as citizens, are aware of issues that face the world and lead a healthier life.
