Every year, World Health Day is observed globally on the 7th of April. The idea for this day was first proposed at the inaugural Health Assembly held in 1948 with the first official observance occurring in 1950. The primary objective of World Health Day is to draw attention to specific health topics of concern to people worldwide. These topics are identified and prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
A Brief History of World Health Day
In the years since the inception of the World Health Day, it has served to illuminate important health issues spanning a variety of areas. It has thrown spotlight on problems ranging from mental health to maternal and child care and even the impact of climate change on global health. Every year, a new theme is chosen to be the focus of the day’s activities and initiatives.
The Significance of 2020 Theme
The theme for 2020 was “Support Nurses and Midwives.” This theme was chosen to commemorate the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, which was declared to be in 2020. The goal of this year’s World Health Day was to celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives to global health and to impress upon world leaders the need to support and empower these professionals.
Activities and Initiatives of World Health Day 2020
On the occasion of World Health Day 2020, WHO launched the ‘State of the World’s Nursing 2020’ report. By releasing this report, WHO aimed to provide insight into global nursing workforce statistics, policies, and broad areas of intervention. The report served to highlight the current status and future perspectives in relation to nursing as a profession.
Additionally, WHO, in concert with its partners, issued numerous recommendations for strengthening the global nursing and midwifery workforce. It also provided an overview of the various challenges and opportunities facing these professions.
Nurses, Midwives and COVID-19 Response
Special emphasis was also placed on the role and contribution of nurses and midwives in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. As frontline healthcare workers, nurses have been at the thick of this global crisis, providing high-quality, respectful treatment and care to patients. They have also played a crucial role in leading community dialogues to assuage public fears and answer queries related to the disease.
Furthermore, nurses are also contributing significantly to clinical studies by collecting valuable data from the community. Their tireless efforts have enabled the healthcare sector to respond effectively to the pandemic and have further reinforced the critical role they play in maintaining global health.
World Health Day serves to raise awareness about pressing health issues and to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contributions of healthcare workers worldwide. The 2020 theme resonated particularly well given the unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.