SINCE the World Health Organisation (WHO) was formed and had its first World Health Assembly on April 7, 1948, the world has seen the outbreak of many diseases. Pandemics have come and gone, and in the case of such diseases like smallpox, eradicated.
The world right now is suffering from only the latest in a long line of pandemics. In the years, decades and, most likely, centuries to come, there will be more global health crises, unless we somehow manage to achieve that utopian dream of a society where diseases no longer exist.
We commemorate the anniversary of the forming of the WHO each year by celebrating World Health Day. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was only beginning to show its true colours when we held World Health Day.
We had already begun to suspect that the coronavirus would do some major damage. This year's celebration could not have come at a better time. There is now hope as vaccinations have begun and though the numbers are still shocking, life seems to be inching its way back to normal.
Yet, there are still many major concerns, not least of which is the fact that poorer nations seem to be losing out, as usual. This year's World Health Day celebration had the theme "Building a fairer, healthier world".
It was appropriate. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how people need to have better access to health services and live healthier lives. This is the future of our healthcare.
The WHO, according to its website, has proposed four major steps in achieving this goal: working together, collecting reliable data, tackling inequities and acting beyond borders.
This is key in the fight against Covid-19. It is a global pandemic, and requires a global response. In order to ensure that, every nation should have fair access to all the resources needed.
That especially includes access to vaccines, something the United Nations is hoping to do with its Covax facility. Covax was brought about because world health authorities recognised that in order for the world to beat Covid-19, everyone — or as many people as possible — needed to be vaccinated.
Covax, then, was created to allow poorer nations access to vaccines. The second part of the theme — healthier world — is something every single soul on this beautiful planet of ours can ensure happens.
The vast majority of the more than 1,300 deaths we have seen from Covid-19 so far, and likely the majority of the global death toll as well, comprise people with comorbidities.
Underlying health conditions make one more vulnerable. Malaysia, remember, is the most obese nation in Asia. Diabetes affects up to 3.6 million people. Heart disease accounts for 15 per cent of medically certified deaths, making it the top killer in Malaysia.
This Leader calls on the government to work towards these World Health Day goals so we can eliminate the Covid-19 threat and live healthier lives. Healthcare must be afforded to all, and to be fair, the government has been doing this, offering vaccinations to all, including illegal immigrants.
More importantly, however, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do our bit to stay healthy. Eat well and keep fit. That is our mission.