World Health Day 2006: Activities

In India, the World Health Report (WHR) -2006 was released by the Hon’ble Health Minister of State - Smt Panabaka Lakshmi in a function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 7 April 2006. The other dignitaries included the Union Secretary Health & Family Welfare – Shri Prasanna Hota; Director General Health Services – Dr. R.K. Shrivastava; Ag. WHO Representative to India – Dr. Paramita Sudharto; senior officials from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; representatives from bilateral and multi-lateral agencies, including USAID and World Bank, and other experts. This function was organized by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), GOI in collaboration with WHO India Office.  A presentation on the key messages of the WHR 2006 was made by WHO.

All the dignitaries lauded the importance of drawing attention to the critical issue of addressing shortages and other human resource issues in the health sector. They emphasized that human resources form a fulcrum of the health sector. The need of the hour is to use the publication of the World Health Report at the global level as a beginning towards greater action at the country level.  The criticality of addressing human resource related concerns in India, especially in light of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), was emphasized by all.  It was felt that a one year action plan needs to be developed.

The release of the report was followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Smt S. Jalaja, Additional Secretary (Health), GOI, on human resource issues in the context of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).  The panelists included senior officials from the MoHFW.  An overview was provided on the human resource issues in NRHM including data on availability and future requirements, highlighting the human resource issues in the NGO sector.   The discussion focused on how the human resource requirements of the NRHM would be met.

Press Brief By WHO Regional Director (South-East Asia Region)

A press conference was held in WHO-SEARO and was attended by Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director (RD); Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Deputy Regional Director (DRD); Dr Myint Htwe, Director, Programme Management; and Dr P. T. Jayawickramarajah.  DRD complimented the response on India and highlighted NRHM as a unique and well-conceived programme towards the overall improvement of health care delivery in India.  RD emphasised health promotion and the need for everyone, including media, to work on health promotion and changing peoples’ behaviour and attitude.

Health Posts at Select Places Across Delhi & Formation of a Symbolic Human Chain Of Health Workers

To enable face to face interaction amongst health workers and the general public, health posts were placed across select public spaces i.e. at ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Rohini West, New Delhi Railway Station, MCD Basti Vikas Kendra at Kalkaji and National Stadium.  These posts were held from 10 a. m – 2 p.m.   They were set up and run by a team of health providers consisting of doctors from various systems of medicine including physicians, naturopaths, and dentists among others.  Free consultation was provided  to 1500 beneficiaries.  Awareness talks on dental care, TB, HIV/AIDS were organized.  This event was managed by Ms. Sunita Godara, Health Fitness Trust.

In the evening a mass event covering around 2000 participants was organized at the National Stadium to celebrate the WHD.  Shri Oscar Fernandez, Cabinet Minister, and Dr. Yoganand Shastri, Health Minister of Delhi, shared their thoughts and pointed out the importance of working together with health workers.  Mementos were presented to all the health providers who manned the free health posts.

Thereafter, a symbolic 1 km human chain of health workers was organized wherein health providers and workers – nurses, dentists, sports therapists, practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha and Homeopathy, pharmacists, representatives from public and private sector, amongst others, participated.  The event was managed by Ms. Sunita Godara, Health Fitness Trust.

State Level Initiatives

As part of the World Health Day 2006, it is proposed that activities be undertaken at the State level through selected collaborating centres and partner institutions. Given the focus on human resource issues in health, the following institutions are conducting various functions / discussions:

     Karnataka Pharmacy Council, Bangalore; and

     All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata.