Last Updated on April 7, 2026 1:11 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / HEALTH DESK
World Health Day is being celebrated across the globe today to raise awareness about good health practices. The theme this year is “Together for health. Stand with science”. Under the theme, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a year‑long campaign celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet. The campaign spotlights both scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action – through a strong focus on the One Health approach.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has said that good health is the foundation of a happy, productive, and prosperous society. In a social media post on the World Health Day today, CP Radhakrishnan called upon everyone to reaffirm the commitment to build a healthier nation by promoting preventive healthcare, balanced lifestyles, and equitable access to quality medical services for all. The Vice President also appreciated the tireless dedication of healthcare workers who serve humanity with compassion and commitment.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to all those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to the service of others and work towards a healthier planet. In a social media post, PM Modi also reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to building a healthier society. He called upon everyone to keep working together to strengthen healthcare systems and prioritize well-being for every individual.
On the World Health Day, Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has expressed gratitude to all doctors, nurses, and frontline workers. He said that their dedication keeps the country’s healthcare system strong. In a social media post, J.P. Nadda said that this day reminds the citizens to take better care of their health and follow a balanced lifestyle. He said that country’s approach to healthcare combines age-old wisdom with modern science, helping improve lives not just at home but across the world. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, transformative initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana have strengthened the healthcare system, making quality treatment more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for every citizen. The Health Minister also urged countrymen to work together towards building a healthier and stronger nation.
Science behind health progress
Scientific innovations are most powerful when they are widely adopted and used. Every success in improving human health reflects the collective work and collaboration of scientific organizations, policy- makers, heath workers and the public. For example:
- before modern anesthesia, surgery meant unimaginable pain. Today, safer medicines, affordable technologies and trained specialists allow life-saving operations to be performed while patients sleep comfortably. Scientific progress has helped democratize these advances, making safe surgical care accessible across the world, including in many resource-limited communities;
- over the past 50 years, global immunization efforts have saved over 154 million children from infectious diseases. Vaccines have contributed to a 40% reduction in infant mortality, with just one vaccine – the measles vaccine – saving over 90 million children; and
- progress in early screening technologies is transforming health outcomes. From electronic blood pressure monitors to breast cancer screening through mammography, these tools have become life-saving interventions for millions.
WHO, over its 78 years of convening of global scientific organizations, has stood at the forefront of global health and scientific transformation. For example:
- during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, WHO coordinated a global network of laboratories sharing real-time data. This collaboration enabled the rapid identification of the virus causing SARS within two weeks, setting a global model for outbreak detection and response that continues today;
- in 2009, WHO developed alcohol-based hand-rub formulations and promoted its global adoption in health-care settings. This innovation, along with related infection-prevention strategies, helps protect millions of patients and health workers worldwide from infections and complications, including during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- WHO continually identifies emerging challenges to human health, bringing together leading scientists and policy-makers to develop norms and standards that protect communities. For example, WHO’s global air quality guidelines define air quality levels needed to safeguard health from risks such as respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. WHO’s drinking water standards ensure that the water from our taps is safe, helping prevent diarrheal diseases, including deadly ones such as cholera.