Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere

WHO at 70: working for better health for everyone, everywhere

On 7 April, World Health Day, the World Health Organization marks its 70th anniversary. Over the past 7 decades, WHO has spearheaded efforts to rid the world of killer diseases like Smallpox and to fight against deadly habits like Tobacco use.

This year, World Health Day is dedicated to one of WHO’s founding principles: “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”

“Good health is the most precious thing anyone can have” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “When people are healthy, they can learn, work, and support themselves and their families. When they are sick, nothing else matters. Families and communities fall behind. That’s why WHO is so committed to ensuring good health for all.”

With 194 Member States, across 6 regions, and working from more than 150 offices, WHO staff are united in a shared drive to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere – and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring “healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages”.

The tagline for this year’s World Health Day is “Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere”. WHO offices worldwide are organizing events to mark the day, with Dr Tedros joining celebrations in Sri Lanka.

70 years of progress

Globally, life expectancy has increased by 25 years since WHO was established. Some of the biggest health gains are seen among children under-5: in 2016, 6 million fewer children died before they reached their 5th birthday than in 1990. Smallpox has been defeated and Polio is on the verge of eradication. Many countries have successfully eliminated Measles, Malaria and debilitating Tropical Diseases like guinea worm and elephantiasis, as well as mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis.

Bold new WHO recommendations for earlier, simpler treatment, combined with efforts to facilitate access to cheaper Generic Medicines, have helped 21 million people get life-saving treatment for HIV. The plight of more than 300 million people suffering from Chronic Hepatitis B and C infections is finally gaining global attention. And innovative partnerships have produced effective Vaccines against Meningitis and Ebola, as well as the world’s first ever Malaria Vaccine.

Historical details

WHO succeeded the League of Nations' Health Organization. Its establishment was approved by the UN Conference in San Francisco, USA in 1945. The WHO Constitution was drafted by a committee, chaired by Dr Brock Chisholm, who became WHO's first Director-General in 1948. The Constitution was approved by Member States during the International Health Conference in New York, USA.

Reference

1. World Health Organization (WHO), News release, 05 April 2018. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2018/who-at-70/en/

Гл. ас. д-р Магдалена Баймакова, д.м.

Специалист "Инфекциозни болести"

07 април 2018