April
7 of each year marks
the celebration of World Health Day. From its inception at the
First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, the celebration
has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a
priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. Over the past 50 years
this has brought to light important health issues such as mental health,
maternal and child care, and climate change. The celebration is marked by
activities which extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to
focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health.
This World Health Day, calling for action to eliminate health inequities, as part of a
year-long global campaign to bring people together to build a fairer, healthier
world. The campaign highlights WHO’s
constitutional principle that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard
of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without
distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”
The world is still an unequal one.
The places where we live, work and play may make it harder for some to reach
their full health potential, while others thrive. Health inequities are
not only unjust and unfair, but they also threaten the advances made to date,
and have the potential to widen rather than narrow equity gaps.However, health
inequities are preventable with strategies that place greater attention to
improving health equity, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized
groups. COVID-19 has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest
on those communities which were already vulnerable, who are more exposed to the
disease, less likely to have access to quality health care services and more
likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented
to contain the pandemic.That’s why WHO calling on leaders to ensure that
communities are at the forefront in decision-making processes as we move
forward to a new future, and that everyone has living and working conditions
that are conducive to good health. At the same time, we urge leaders to monitor
health inequities, and to ensure that all people are able to access quality
health services depending on their needs and values within their communities.
To keep the body in good health is a
duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom and keep
our mind strong and clear.
