World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April under the sponsorship of World Health Organisation. It is held to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation in 1948. It is seen as an opportunity by the organisation to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The theme for 2021 is “Building a fairer, healthier world”. For this year, WHO notes that COVID-19 has highlighted that some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others – entirely due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age.
WHO’s constitutional principle is “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.”
All over the world, some groups struggle to make ends meet with little daily income, have poorer housing conditions and education, fewer employment opportunities, experience greater gender inequality, and have little or no access to safe environments, clean water and air, food security and health services. It is an Irony that the disease afflicts all sections of the people irrespective of Religion, race, case and creed whereas there is an inequity in terms of even basic care is some population globally. This leads to unnecessary suffering, avoidable illness, and premature death, states WHO, and it harms our societies and economies.”Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone” The COVID-19 pandemic has undercut recent health gains, pushed more people into poverty and food insecurity, and amplified gender, social and health inequities,
But this day should not just remain as a day for the reminder; we all should take this day seriously. It should work as an alert for all of us to pay more attention to our health and other things around us. We often ignore our health thinking it won’t be a problem. But minor symptoms can also lead to a significant health issue afterwards, if not treated. This is very well evidenced by the exponential increase in the burden of Non-communicable diseases. India has been experiencing an epidemiological transition indicating a steep increasing in Non communicable disease which includes Cancer, Cardio vascular diseases, Diabetes, Hypertension and stroke. It has been well established the over 80% of this due to lifestyle factors and the message is to develop a healthy lifestyle to prevent these diseases. Being the Head of a premier Oncology Institute we have experienced to see a steep increase in cancer over the years and it is disheartening to see that a majority of these patients seek cancer care with an advanced disease to the oncology facilities and cure is elusive at these stages. It is also to be emphasized that a vast majority of these diseases are amenable for prevention and early detection. We need to understand that health is wealth. For our growth and improvement, a healthy body with a healthy mind is necessary. The slogan of “Health for all” should be taken seriously by everybody for a guiding vision of a better future.
A country can also grow with healthy people. Unhealthy group of people cannot contribute much to the country. It has been observed that many of the diseases afflict people in the most productive age group and this has a direct bearing on the economy of any nation. So, on this World Health Day, I would request you all to pay attention to your health as well as the health of your family. Maintain your health by taking some time out in a day for exercising and adopt excellent and healthy diets and eating habits. Eat healthy and stay healthy.
It is our fervent hope that the most advanced healthcare services reach every corner of this world so that no one is deprived of genuine treatment.
-Dr.C.RAMACHANDRA DIRECTOR
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