April 7th of each year marks the celebration of the World Health Day. Being established at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, this occasion intends to spread awareness of a specific health theme to highlight the priority of an 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. For example, World Health Day 2020 was focused on the vital role played by nurses and midwives in providing health care around the world, and called for a strengthening of the nursing and midwifery workforce. This special day 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.
“Health is a fundamental human right. Every person deserves to live a healthy life regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, disability, economic situation or employment. Progress in tackling health disparities has been slow worldwide, including in the Region in which many countries are experiencing emergencies and conflict and we have the largest number of displaced people in the world,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director of WHO for the Eastern Mediterranean. On the World Health Day 2021, WHO called on leaders to monitor health inequalities and address their root causes to ensure that everyone has access to the living and working conditions that are conducive to good health and to quality health services where and when they need them, and to invest in primary health care to achieve health for all.
The WHO Regional Director noted that the regional “Vision 2023: Health for all by all: a call for action and solidarity”, was aligned with this year’s theme and that achieving health for all by all was essential to meet the challenges of today and to build the resilience of tomorrow.
