World Health Organization celebrates 75 years with meaningful goals

Today (April 7), the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates its 75th anniversary with its 194 member states and other partners, by calling for innovation and health equity.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on governments and leaders to take action to protect and invest in health and care workers who are at the forefront of responding to health emergencies.

The World Health Organization celebrates its 75th anniversary. (Source: The Lancet)

Solving with global cooperation

Seventy-five years ago, in the aftermath of the deadliest and most destructive war in human history, the WHO Constitution came into force: a treaty among the world's nations that recognized that health is not only a fundamental human right, but also the foundation for peace and security.

Over the past seven and a half decades, there has been extraordinary progress in protecting people from disease, including the eradication of smallpox, a 99% reduction in polio, saving millions of lives through childhood vaccination, reducing maternal mortality, and improving the health and well-being of millions.

“WHO’s history shows that anything is possible when nations come together for a common purpose,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

We have much to be proud of, but there is much more work to do to realize our vision of the highest attainable standard of health for all.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. (Source: WHO)

We continue to face huge inequalities in access to health services, huge gaps in the world's defences against health emergencies, and threats from harmful products and the climate crisis."

The WHO chief also affirmed: "We can only address these challenges with global cooperation."

Support and expand the health workforce

To address these challenges, WHO is calling on countries to take urgent action to protect, support and expand the health workforce as a strategic priority.

Accordingly, investment in education, skills and decent work for health needs must be prioritized to meet rapidly growing health needs and prevent a projected shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030; mainly in low- and middle-income countries.

A global education programme on basic emergency care targeting 25% of nurses and midwives from 25 low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2025 was also recently announced by WHO.

This 25x25x25 emergency care program will provide nurses and midwives with the skills and competencies to make a huge difference in saving lives and reducing disability.

Prioritize primary health care

Looking forward 75 years and into the next century, a renewed commitment to health equity will be key to addressing future health challenges.

In the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO's vision includes an urgent paradigm shift towards promoting health and well-being and preventing disease by addressing root causes, as well as creating the conditions for health to thrive.

WHO is calling on countries to deliver health services by prioritizing primary health care as the foundation for universal health coverage.

The Covid-19 pandemic has also shown that protecting health is fundamental to our economy, society, security and stability.

Investing in science and digital health

Learning from this pandemic, WHO stands ready to support countries around the world as they negotiate pandemic treaties, amendments to the International Health Regulations, and other financial, governance and operational initiatives to prepare the world for future pandemics.

WHO is calling on countries to deliver health services by prioritizing primary health care as the foundation for universal health coverage. (Source: WHO)

Over the past five years, WHO has invested in science and digital health, establishing a Science Department led by the organization’s first chief scientist. This comes at a time when science is under constant attack every day.

In addition, countries must protect the public from the transmission and reception of misinformation. The future of health depends on how well we develop science, research, innovation, data, digital technology and partnerships.

(baoquocte.vn)

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