World Health Day is a significant occasion that marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as a platform to raise awareness about global health issues. This year, World Health Day 2024 is themed "My health, my right," emphasizing the fundamental right of every individual to access quality health services and essential resources for a healthy life. Moreover, it focuses on the fundamental human right of access to quality health care, education, and information. The theme underscores the importance of universal health coverage, education, safe drinking water, clean air, nutrition, housing, and freedom from discrimination.
Pakistan faces various health challenges, with modest progress in basic health indicators but significant room for improvement nonetheless. The country has seen a decrease in maternal mortality rates and an increase in births attended by skilled health personnel. However, Pakistan's Healthcare Access and Quality Index score remains low, ranking 154th out of 195 countries, highlighting the need for enhanced healthcare services and infrastructure.
The nation's ranking in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization further emphasizes the urgency for reform in the healthcare system. That's why Pakistan is ranking at the top in most common diseases across the globe.
Common health issues in Pakistan include viral hepatitis, dengue, tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, HIV, and cholera, exacerbated by urban overpopulation, poor sanitation, contaminated water supplies, and challenging socioeconomic conditions that further contribute to airborne, waterborne, and foodborne diseases. Shortages of medical supplies and medications have led to the cancellation of essential surgeries, creating a severe health crisis. The country faces a double burden of disease, with high prevalence rates of hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The National Health Vision 2025 aims to enhance the health of all citizens, particularly women and children, by providing universal access to quality essential health services and ensuring financial protection. The vision focuses on vulnerable groups and resilient health systems to address complex health challenges, including extreme weather events, infectious diseases, and food and water insecurity. Efforts are needed to mitigate climate change and adapt healthcare systems to future health risks.
To achieve sustainable health and well-being goals, preventive healthcare measures must be implemented at individual, societal, and national levels. Prioritizing vaccination, regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, raising awareness, improving healthcare access, and investing in healthcare infrastructure are vital steps.
Health security is crucial to preventing and responding to acute health threats globally. Pakistan faces the risk of epidemics due to factors like overpopulation, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and low vaccination coverage. Pollution-related deaths are a significant concern, with 92% occurring in middle-income countries like Pakistan. The country grapples with food insecurity, waste management issues, pollution, and climate change, impacting public health and well-being.
To achieve sustainable health and well-being goals, preventive healthcare measures must be implemented at individual, societal, and national levels. Prioritizing vaccination, regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, raising awareness, improving healthcare access, and investing in healthcare infrastructure are vital steps. Collaboration across sectors, including education, media, and religious institutions, is essential to disseminate health information and drive positive behavioral changes for a healthier Pakistan.
A good part can be played by the education department regarding awareness. Being part of the Education Department of KPK, we have started an awareness campaign on preventive health while visiting schools. School leaders in KPK are spreading awareness about socioeconomic issues and environmental challenges. They are talking with students in assembly, and from this younger age, children will be more conscious of their health in the future as well. Teachers can play an effective role, and it will bring positive change in this context. All other officials and teachers have to play their part in spreading awareness on the theme "My health is my right" in primary, secondary, colleges, and universities.
Moreover, the media must spread awareness about health and well-being, cleanliness, and the threat of climate change. Society has to play its role through mosques and community centers. It will be like a campaign conducted in China during the Mao Zedong period, and Cuba is also famous for focusing on preventive healthcare. Barefoot doctors, who were not authentic, were just those who had been trained in the short term (varying from 3 to 6 months) or from 2 to 3 years if necessary. They were in charge of public health care, which was 'prevention-oriented' and primary health care centers across the country.
The Constitution of Pakistan still does not recognize health as a fundamental right. Instead, health is only mentioned in Article 38 (Principles of Policy) and is therefore not justiciable, unlike fundamental rights.
On World Health Day, let us reflect on the progress we have made, acknowledge the challenges ahead, and commit to building a healthier future for all. It is the need of the hour that the government fulfills its promise of achieving the sustainable development goals, as health is SDG number 3, which means the achievement of good health and wellbeing. Moreover, health is a fundamental human right across the globe, but in Pakistan, it is not like education, which was declared a right with the passage of the 18th Amendment in Article 25-A. The Constitution of Pakistan still does not recognize health as a fundamental right. Instead, health is only mentioned in Article 38 (Principles of Policy) and is therefore not justiciable, unlike fundamental rights.
Let us commit to building a healthy future that ensures health security and leads to human security. It will be feasible only when all the stakeholders are on the same page: public and private partnerships and the implementation of health policy at all levels. Let us adopt this year's theme, "My health is my right," and together, we can strive for a world where quality healthcare is accessible to everyone. It is time to ponder the quote of Mahatma Gandhi. As he said, it is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver.