Building a Fairer, Healthier World
It is health that is real wealth, said Mahatma Gandhi. How true it is! The struggle the world is going through to cope with handling the COVID pandemic is a reflection. At this juncture, everyone realises how important being healthy is? The pandemic brought the world to kneel and wonder how to come out from the frightening situation—the questions where the cure is and where the vaccine is. Simultaneously, the world moved swiftly to find a vaccine, yet to find a cure. As it is a mammoth task to vaccinate all the people across societies, the world has to live with COVID for a long time. The attention also has to be focused on finding a cure and medication. At this juncture, everyone realises how important being healthy is? The world celebrates “World Health Day” this year, almost a year after the pandemic struck the world. Not knowing when we get back to the old situation, doubts lingering in the minds whether we would ever get back to what used to be a normal situation. It is more important to look at health holistically. Governments and policymakers realise how difficult it is to convince people to take necessary precautions. Strengthening the public health measures, establishing robust infrastructure is of paramount importance. It is very imperative to be prepared for all kinds of uncertainties during these constantly evolving times. COVID-19 has also highlighted how some people are more equal than others. Able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others – depending upon the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age.
Every year on April 7, World Health Day is observed. The World Health Organisation (WHO) started the World Health Day campaign way back in 1948. It brought it into effect in 1950 to promote awareness about physical and mental health and offer the necessary support. It is also celebrated to mark the founding of the WHO. An opportunity to draw worldwide attention to ensure a healthier world. It aims to create awareness about health and wellbeing. When it comes to wellbeing, it is essential to think about both physical and mental wellbeing.
Many people struggle to make ends meet with poor earnings worldwide and have inadequate housing, education, lack of employment opportunities, and health services. It results in unnecessary suffering, avoidable illness, and many times premature death. Naturally, it harms societies and economies. Such a situation is not only unfair but is preventable. There is a need to monitor health inequities and ensure that all people can access quality health services when and where they need them. When pandemics like COVID-19 hits the world, their impact would be harshest on the vulnerable communities. Exposure to the diseases is higher, and access to quality health care services less. Sufferings and illnesses faced by many are preventable. The significant steps in achieving its goal are working together, having reliable data, tackling inequities, and going beyond borders.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship
Gautam Buddha
Health is central to human happiness and wellbeing. Health is not just about physical wellbeing but also about the mental and social aspects. A person is said to be healthy if one possesses all three. It also contributes to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer and are more productive.
The world is struggling, despite making use of all the resources, knowledge, and brilliant minds. Would we be able to establish a world that is Just and healthier?
Dalai Lama said:
Happiness is the highest form of health
When we are struggling to achieve physical health and wellbeing, being happy is a challenge.
The governments have to come together, pool the resources, and focus on finding solutions to those diseases yet to find a cure. Establish the processes to implement vaccines, drugs where solutions are available effectively. Lifestyle changes, reverting to using ancient knowledge systems, going to ancient times is the way forward. The human body is so diverse, and the same is how it reacts to what goes into it, both the way it gets affected or adjusts. Researchers are realising how important it is to move from finding a general cure to individualised attention. In a way, the way forward in providing quality health care is to go back to our ancient knowledge. The goal is to have a healthier, happy, and contended world.
Toons: Anusha and Reema Jaiswal
Logs: Sai Baba
