World Health Day
Every April 7th marks World Health Day, a global health awareness event sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Day theme for 2021 is Building a fairer, healthier world. The following is from the WHO website:
Our world is an unequal one.
As COVID-19 has highlighted, some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others—entirely due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age.All over the world, some groups struggle to make ends meet with little daily income, have poorer housing conditions and education, fewer employment opportunities, experience greater gender inequality, and have little or no access to safe environments, clean water and air, food security, and health services. This leads to unnecessary suffering, avoidable illness, and premature death. And it harms our societies and economies.
This is not only unfair: it is preventable. That’s why we are calling on leaders to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health. At the same time, we urge leaders to monitor health inequities, and to ensure that all people are able to access quality health services when and where they need them.
COVID-19 has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest on communities like those served by the Manos Amigas clinic. These communities were already vulnerable, more exposed to the disease, less likely to have access to quality health care services, and more likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented to contain the pandemic.
WHO’s goals for this year’s World Health Day include:
Act beyond national borders — Only when we can protect, test, and treat the whole global population can we end the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as assuring an equitable supply of vaccines, tests and treatments, we must strengthen national and international mechanisms and build community trust and participation into their delivery and uptake to ensure access for all globally.
Tackle inequities — Adopt a whole-of-government approach to tackling the root causes of inequities and increase investment in primary health care. This is key to meeting today’s challenges of ensuring Health for All and to building the resilience of tomorrow.
Work together — Work hand-in-hand with affected communities and individuals to address the root causes of inequities and to implement solutions—within and beyond the health sector—to address them. The impact will be greatest when governments and communities work together, in a coordinated approach.
When you look closer at the WHO goals, you see some of the main drivers behind Serving at the Crossroads.
Act Beyond Borders
Our mission is to gather the resources necessary to build, equip, and sustain a medical/dental clinic in the town of La Entrada de Copan, Honduras. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical, dental, and eye brigades went to the Manos Amigas clinic several times a year. While the pandemic has kept us from visiting in person, we have continued to support the clinic with financial resources, medication, and supplies so that they could continue to care for those in need.
Tackle Inequities
In gathering the resources to build, equip, and sustain the Manos Amgias clinic, Serving at the Crossroads has made the investment in primary health care, so those who otherwise would not be able to afford care can receive the medical and dental treatment they need. The Manos Amigas staff delivers high-quality and compassionate health care to everyone who walks through the door. Because the Manos Amigas clinic is there, people are healed and can return to work and care for their families.
Work Together
There are many ways to work together to make a difference. In addition to caring for patients who come to the clinic, the Manos Amigas staff also goes out into the community to provide medical treatment, especially in times of disaster. Brigades work side-by-side with the Manos Amigas health care providers. This partnership ensures continuity of patient care once the brigade returns home.
We hope that this year on World Health Day when you think about health concerns, you consider not only your neighborhood or your state or even your country, but you think in terms of a global health ecosystem and the impact that we all can have in our shared well-being by acting beyond our borders, tackling inequities, and working together.
Visit the World Health Organization for more information on World Health Day.