World Health Day : Together for health, stand with Science

Dr. Kshetrimayum Kala Singh
The World Health Day is Celebrated by the people all across the world every year on
7th April under the leadership of World Health Organization to draw the mass people attention towards the importance of global health.
A proposal was put forward by Brazil and China for creation of an organization to take with health-related issues all over the world. The proposal presented in 1945 stated this body should be totally independent from any Government powers and focuses equally on health-related issues of whole world. In 1946, establishment of World Health Organisaiton (WHO) was approved in New York. World Health Assembly was held 1st time in the year 1948 in Geneva by the WHO where it was decided to celebrate the World Health Day annually on 7th April. It was 1st celebrated worldwide in the year 1950 as the World Health Day.
It is an annual event being celebrated for years to raise the common public awareness towards the health issues and concerns. A particular theme is chosen to run the celebration and to take care of the health for whole year. The theme for this year is “Together for Health. Stand with Science”. This year’s observance launches a year-long Campaign Celebrating the power of Scientific Collaboration to protect the health of people, Animals, plants and the  planet. The Campaign spotlights both Scientific achievements and the multilateral Co-operation needed to turn evidence into action- through a strong focus on the one Health approach and highlighting the urgent need to bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and modern medical science.
Also, the theme reinforces that addressing modern health crises requires evidence- based solution and global solidarity. WHO invites people everywhere to participate by  celebrating scientific achievements engaging with evidence, sharing personal stories of how science improves lives and joining the global conversation through stand with science and World Health Day. Making the foundation day of the World Health Organization, health care professionals in Manipur emphasized that while Cultural Practices remain deeply rooted in society, Scientific health care must take precedence in diagnosis and treatment.
Campaign Goals
The Campaign calls on government’s, scientists, health workers, partners and the public to
• Stand with science by engaging with evidence, facts and science-based guidance to protect health.
• Rebuild trust in science and public health and
• Support science-led solution for a healthier future
Traditional knowledge has value, but it must work alongside scientific medicine- not against it. With increasing smartphone penetration, misinformation about health treatment is spreading rapidly even in remote areas. Experts warn that unverified remedies and delayed medical care can worsen health outcomes. Also, Citizens are encouraged to a) seek advices from qualified Doctors, b) verify information before acting on it, c) Trust scientific guide lines for treatment.
Scientific Collaboration
Scientific Collaboration means Global action for Universal Health Coverage. If one country is affected by an epidemic of virus disease but don’t have vaccine or necessary drugs for the epidermic. So, the help of other Country who had vaccine or manufacturing necessary drugs should be taken for the eradication of the disease. Any disease for Cause or etiology should be identified scientifically. Once we know the micro-organism due to bacteria, fungus, virus or parasites, the next step is to do culture & sensitively test with chemicals & drugs for the micro-organism. This scientific procedure is compulsory for all the diseases. So, all the available scientific procedures must be applied for the total eradication of the disease.
One Health Approach
In our planet we should not think the health care for the Human beings only. We should provide the good environment to the animals, plants, lakes & rivers of the planet. To protect the animals, plants, lakes & rivers are our essential duty for keeping good health and good environment.
Without the protection of the animals, it is of no value for keeping good-environment. The animals protect the plants, trees, lakes & rivers. They are our army for protecting us and for keeping good health. If they are sick proper action should be taken at the earliest time to prevent epidemic or endemic. Always we must remember the interdependence of human and the need for coordinated, science-based approaches to address shared health threads.
Health for the Plants & Trees
For good environment and climate, we should protect the plants & trees. Please note that Carbon-dioxide is taken by the Plants & Trees. Human requirement oxygen is given out by them. So, we must consider two times before cutting and destroying the plants and trees. It should be stopped immediately. If there are no Plants & trees, how can we survive in this planet. The great climate change is due to destroying the plants & trees particularly in Hills areas.
Lakes and Rivers
Lakes and Rivers are very very Important for keeping good Environment. Drinking water by the Human Beings and Animals cannot be stopped. Without water we cannot survive,so to keep neat and clean of the Lakes and Rivers are our essential duty. Contaminated water can cause numerous Communicable diseases. So, we should apply scientifically keeping water neat and clean. Don’t throw the waste plastic bottles, clothes, death bodies, waste papers and other dirty materials to the lakes and rivers.
Evidence to Action:
Scientific knowledge and data are highly essential for universal heath. Rumors, Public propaganda & superstitious beliefs should be kept far away from the Universal Health Coverage. Only Scientific Knowledge to be applied for identification or origin of the disease. Proper care & treatment and prevention to be done from the available Scientific data of the disease. Without knowing properly no action to be done. For scientific data we must give the answer of what, when, whom, where, how etc.
All the scientific data to be used into effective Public Health Policies.
Under one health with science we will focus on the main factors contributing to infections and non-communicable diseases.
• Zoonotic reservoirs and vectors
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Sustainable food systems
• Exposure to pollutions
Mr. Erasmus, the 16th century Dutch philosopher said that prevention is better than cure. Preventive methods help us in saving from deadly and fatal diseases which can’t be cured.
“It is easier to stop something happening in the 1st place than to repair the damage after it has happened.”

(The writer is Senior Consultant, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon, Raj- Medicity North AOC Imphal West & SKY HOSPITAL RIMS-Rd Imphal West)