THE WORLD CELEBRATES WORLD HEALTH DAY

By VICTOR KANGUYA

The World Health Day is held each year on 7^th April to mark the founding of the World health Organisation WHO. This day is seen as an opportunity by the organisation to draw worldwide attention to a particular subject of major importance to global health each year. This year’s World Health day was held under the theme, high blood pressure.

As the world experiences rapid globalization, the lifestyle in most households has taken a twist. Most people have adopted poor eating habits and a general unhealthy lifestyle. The ultimate goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

Various local, national and international events are arranged to educate and highlight the public on a priority area of public health concern in the world. This event receives mass coverage and thus it is a good opportunity to raise key health issues. Events such as conferences for health workers, briefings for political leader, information displays for children and young people, public matches and demonstrations; as well as free or easy access to medical tests, can take place on the day.

Specific objectives of the World Health Day 2013 are to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure. The focus of the day was also towards inciting national and local authorities to create enabling environments for healthy behaviour. In developing countries such as Zambia, access to adequate health care is still a challenge even to those in urban areas. Making blood pressure measurement affordable to all has been set as one of the key objectives as the world celebrates this year’s World Health day.

High blood pressure is a condition most often associated with adults, but children can have high blood pressure too even as infants. An estimated 3% of children have high blood pressure in the world. Even though high blood pressure is not predominant in children, the rate among children is on the rise hence there is need to actively involve children in the fight against high blood pressure.

Gift Thandi a pupil from Olympia Secondary School, outlined the importance of young people’s participation on this day. He said children must take an interest to join the fight against high blood pressure and other health challenges, because they are not spared. “Children are part of the solution not only in the fight against blood pressure and other health challenges the world is facing”, Thandi said.

7^th April which is World Health day is not a public Holiday. Despite this day not being a public holiday, the public at large inclusive of young people should rise up and be part of the solution to high blood pressure and other health issues.  Even in the event of rapid globalization; people should maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing salt intake if the World is to rid high blood pressure.   The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.