WORLD HEALTH DAY
Geneva is home to many of the world’s international humanitarian organizations. This puts many of our counterparts in the United Nations and other agencies, along with WHO colleagues from various technical areas, on the frontlines of disaster response.
It also takes them to parts of the world where
emergencies are more commonplace than here
in Switzerland. Every year, hurricanes sweep
the Caribbean islands, and countries such as
Pakistan, China, Mexico and Japan must be always
on the alert for the disturbing rumble of
earthquakes. In many countries, armed conflict
threatens the health of both civilians and health
workers and disrupts services.
The tragedy of a major emergency or disaster
is compounded when health facilities fail.
People count on hospitals and health facilities
to respond, swiftly and efficiently, as the lifeline
for survival and an integral part of the
community support system. This is why this
year’s World Health Day focuses on saving
lives by making hospitals safe in emergencies.
World Health Day celebrates the founding of
WHO in 1948, and is an annual event to focus
world attention on a key health issue.
This year’s theme reminds us all to think and
plan for emergencies. It also alerts hospital
authorities and government leaders to the
fact that a relatively small investment - such
as retro-fitting a hospital or securing equipment
to keep it stable in an earthquake - can
save lives when disaster strikes. For example,
Costa Rican hospitals retro-fitted before the
magnitude 5.8 earthquake in 1990 withstood
the shock in excellent condition, protecting
the health of patients and health workers,
and ensuring that essential health services
could continue.
This years World Health Day will be
launched in Beijing as China recovers from a
massive earthquake in Sichuan Province
which last year killed more than 87,000 people
and destroyed or damaged over 11,000
hospitals and clinics. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, will be joined by Dr Shin
Young-soo, Regional Director WPRO, CHEN
Zhu, Minister of Health China and international
film star Jet Li who is WHO’s new
Goodwill Ambassador.
One of the calls to action of this year’s WHD
is for all countries to provide training for
health workers for emergencies including
for first response. As part of this year’s celebrations at headquarters, first aid demonstrations
will be amongst the many taking
place in the foyer.
