This is a day set aside to address the state of health and well being of the society. Our society is afflicted by various diseases such as malnutrition, tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, cholera, cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart problems, skin disease, alcoholism, drug addiction and other infectious diseases. This day is dedicated to reflection on health issues and promotion of actions geared towards provision of primary health care, clean environment, food , shelter, sanitation and education for the poor.
The theme for World Health Day 2014 is “Preventing and Controlling Vector Borne Diseases”. These diseases include malaria, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas disease and dengue among others, and are spreading at an alarming rate. Some of the disease carrying vectors are propagated by degraded environments. The theme calls for enhanced understanding of vector ecology and taking action to address spread of vector borne diseases.
Suggested activities
- Invite an expert to talk to the school and the community groups on health challenges in the locality
- Clean up the school compound , community open spaces and home compounds.
- Compose poems, songs, drama about local health issues.
- Visit the local wetlands and introduce fish to feed on mosquitoes larvae.
- Develop posters to show the most common vector borne disease within the school and the community.
- Plan and implement an outreach programme involving community participation to address vector borne diseases.
- Write an essay or summarized notes on how you celebrated the world health day. Publicise your success on this blog.
For further information, please contact
http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2014/en/
Ministry of Health & Sanitation
Local health centres
