April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO). From its inception in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, the day has aimed to raise awareness of most topical healthcare issues. Every year, World Health Day has a specific theme that highlights one of the priority areas of concern for the WHO. The theme of World Health Day 2021 is «Building a Fairer, Healthier World».
According to António GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed inequalities in access to healthcare within and between countries, deficiencies in social protection, and, most importantly, society’s unpreparedness to face the global health crisis. At least half of the world's population does not have access to essential health services, and 800 million people spend 10% of their budget on healthcare.
The WHO experts note that the pandemic has particularly affected the social and economic vulnerable groups. These people struggle to access quality healthcare and suffer the most from the negative effects of restrictive measures. Although there has been an increase in global average health outcomes, including life expectancy and premature mortality rates, the ratio is unevenly distributed among different social groups.
Due to the onset of the COVID-10 pandemic, many hospitals become overcrowded and doctors were not able to provide healthcare for all patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses.
There is also a worrying global shortage of healthcare workers, which the WHO estimates to be about 2.5 million doctors, 9 million nurses and midwives, and 6 million other medical specialists. The problem is most acute in developing countries and in countries where medical care is available mainly in the cities, reducing the quality of health service in rural areas.
On World Health Day, the WHO calls on all government sectors to take action to address the underlying causes of social inequities and to increase the resources invested in primary healthcare.
Russian Information Agency “Novosti” and Open Media Sources