World Health Day 2023 | 10 Apr 2023

Why in News?

Every Year on 7th April World Health Day is celebrated. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation in 1948.

What are the Key Highlights of World Health Day?

  • About:
    • The idea of World Health Day was conceived at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and it came into effect in 1950.
    • It is celebrated annually and each year it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
  • Theme for 2023:
    • Health for All
  • India on World Health Day:
    • To mark the occasion of World Health Day on April 7, a health camp and a flash mob was organized to create awareness on non-communicable diseases (NCD) among the public.
  • Importance:
    • World Health Day aims to raise awareness about global health issues, promote health equity by addressing disparities, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and highlight progress in improving health outcomes worldwide. This includes educating people on the importance of good health, providing access to healthcare services, and reducing the burden of diseases in disadvantaged communities and low- and middle-income countries.

What is World Health Organization?

  • About:
    • United Nations’ specialized agency for Health was founded in 1948.
    • Its headquarters are situated in Geneva, Switzerland.
    • There are 194 Member States, 150 country offices, six regional offices.
    • It is an inter-governmental organization and works in collaboration with its member states usually through the Ministries of Health.
  • Objectives:
    • To act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.
    • To establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and such other organizations as may be deemed appropriate.
    • To provide assistance to the Governments, upon request, in strengthening health services.
    • To promote cooperation among scientific and professional groups which contribute to the advancement of health.
  • Governance:
    • World Health Assembly (WHA)
      • WHA is WHO’s decision-making body attended by delegations from all of WHO’s member states,
      • It is held yearly at Geneva, Switzerland.
      • Specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board remains the focus of this assembly.
  • Reports: World Health Statistics, World Health Report, Global Tuberculosis Report, Global Health Observatory (GHO) data, Global Hepatitis Report, Global Report on Diabetes, Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health etc.,

Source: TH