Article:
World Health Day is a global observance that takes place annually on April 7. This occasion was established by the World Health Assembly in 1948 to shine a light on important health issues and has been celebrated worldwide since 1950. The theme for the year 2022 is “Our Planet, Our Health”. Additionally, every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day is commemorated to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world.
About World Health Day
World Health Day marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 7, 1948. Each year’s celebration has a specific health theme to spotlight an area of concern for the WHO. Over the years, the day has highlighted critical health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change.
Significance of Recognising World Health Day
Recognizing World Health Day is crucial due to the rising deaths resulting from avoidable environmental causes. Around the world, 13 million deaths are attributed to environmental factors, including air pollution from burning fossil fuels. The worsening climate crisis stands as the single largest health threat facing humanity today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also underscored societal weaknesses and the dire need for sustainable well-being societies that prioritize equitable health. Furthermore, extreme weather events, land degradation, and water scarcity are displacing people and affecting their health. Pollution and plastics, which have infiltrated our food chain, pose additional concerns.
Income Inequality and Its Impact
Presently, the economic design leads to an inequitable distribution of income, wealth, and power, leaving many in poverty and instability. This inequality ties directly to health outcomes.
India’s Healthcare Landscape
Over the past five years, India’s healthcare sector has experienced rapid growth with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22%. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored persistent challenges like a weak health system and inadequate service delivery to vulnerable populations.
India’s healthcare spending stands at 3.6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which includes out-of-pocket and public expenditure. Between the central and state governments, a mere 1.29% of the GDP is spent on healthcare. Among the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—India spends the least on healthcare, with Brazil spending the most at 9.2%.
Government Initiatives for Health Sector in India
The Government of India has implemented certain initiatives to address healthcare challenges. These include the Ayushman Bharat (AB) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest non-contributory Government-sponsored health insurance scheme, aiming to increase in-patient healthcare access for poor and vulnerable families.
Other key initiatives include the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act of 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, and the SAMRIDH Initiative.
Conclusion
In the face of rising health threats and challenges, recognising days like World Health Day and World Mental Health Day helps to bring attention and resources to these issues. Coupled with government initiatives and policy changes, awareness can lead to better health outcomes on a global scale.
