The World Health Day is not a public holiday but it is a day which globally, all should observe. There are quite a number of days sponsored by WHO – World Health Organization regarding health, yet this one – the World Health Day celebrated on the 7th of April every year is to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. You will agree with me on this one that there is no better way to mark and celebrate the founding of WHO than to observe activities and discuss on how to make the world a better and a more healthy place. So, each year, WHO chooses a theme to be discussed that spotlights a priority in the area of public health. This day celebration is therefore an opportunity for individuals and organizations in every community to get involved in activities that can lead to better health for all.
Every year, more than one billion people get infected and more than one million die from vector-borne diseases, so, this year, the World Health Organization’s topic for World Health Day is the slogan “Small bite, big threat”. The organization targets to highlight on this day, some of the most commonly known vectors – such as mosquitoes, sand flies, bugs, ticks, and snails, responsible for transmitting a wide range of parasites and pathogens that attack human or animals. Their aim is to raise awareness about the threat posed by vectors and vector-borne diseases and to cause families and communities around the world to take action against it by protecting themselves.
Vector-borne diseases can be prevented by wearing clothes that serves as a barrier to exposure from vectors, making use of different mechanisms to keep vector out of houses by protecting them with screens on doors, windows and eaves, reduce breeding opportunities near houses and in communities by covering water storage containers, eliminating puddles and drainage places where water accumulates, eliminating unusable containers where water gathers and controlling garbage in yards and gardens.
WHO organizes international, regional and local events on this day where the topic picked is discussed. The World Health Day is recognized by various governments and non-governmental organizations all over the world whose interests are on public issues of health.
