April 7 marks the World Health Day to draw attention to a particular health topic that affects people all over the world. It also marks the birthday of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which incidentally is observing its 75th anniversary.
“Health For All” was the theme for the World Health Day this year and its aim was to create an opportunity for the world to look back at public health successes that have helped improve the quality of life over the past more than seven decades. The theme also calls on the world to take required actions which can help tackle health challenges today and tomorrow, according to WHO.
“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 world health body said. The celebration, it said, was 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.
In this context, the Union Health Ministry rightly underscored that only healthy citizens can create a healthy society and, in turn, a developed nation.
In the overall context, he importantly highlighted that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, account currently for more than 63% of all deaths in India and are strongly associated and causally linked with major behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use (smoking and smokeless), alcohol use, poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and air pollution.
One of the major risk factors for development of NCDs is physical inactivity. According to the National NCD Monitoring Survey (NNMS) (2017-18), 41.3% of Indians are physically inactive. Physical activity not only lowers the risk of NCDs including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer etc. but also has positive effects on mental health, delays the onset of dementia.
This day also serves to show appreciation and gratitude to all those who have tirelessly worked for the health of people. During the covid-19 pandemic, some of them faced acts of violence and as a consequence severely hindered the response.
The administration rightly, from time to time, lauded the pivotal role played by the doctors in clinical management of patients. Truly, the doctors introduced confidence and strength through their perseverance and unwavering commitment in the midst of unprecedented reality while continuing to make the world aware about the dynamics of the novel virus by enriching research and advancing medical knowledge to facilitate the emergence of a worldwide response to the pandemic.
There is also a need to fortify the healthcare system and also encourage more young people to pursue this noble profession as well as strengthen healthcare education so that competent medical professionals come to the forefront and serve humanity.
