World Health Day (WHD) , celebrated every year on April 7, marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and each year focuses on a public health issue. specific.
In addition to focusing on the path to achieving “Health for All”, which is the theme of 2023, WHO will celebrate its 75th anniversary under the theme 75 years of improving public health.
In context with this year’s theme, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a virtual dialogue on April 5 called "Health for all people: strengthening primary health care to build resilient systems" , with the aim of reflect on public health achievements that have improved quality of life over recent decades, as well as promote lessons learned, particularly those that have emerged in the context of confronting the COVID-19 pandemic; and motivate action to address the health challenges of today and tomorrow.
“Health for all people, in the context of the Region of the Americas, is a call to vindicate the right to health, as a basic human right . It is also a call to reaffirm the commitment to primary health care (PHC) as the cornerstone of sustainable and resilient health systems that move towards universal coverage and universal access to health (Universal Health), as well as towards compliance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (1–3 )”, indicate from PAHO.
The PHC approach was and continues to be a central element in the initiatives to strengthen and transform health systems, which promotes the participation of all government agencies and society, and combines three components: multisectoral policies and measures; capacity for action and decision of people and communities; and integrated health services focused on primary care and the renewed Essential Public Health Functions (EFPH).
Social empowerment has been a key element in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous good practice examples emerged from the work of organizations and groups, demonstrating the transformative potential of engaging and empowering individuals, families and communities to increase social participation and improve health self-care.
It should be noted that the celebration of World Health Day is a celebration of citizenship and the global community, as well as an opportunity to reaffirm the region’s commitment to the right of everyone to enjoy the highest possible level of health. physical and mental.
