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This year, World
Health Day (WHD-2008) focused on the
need to protect health from the adverse impacts of climatechange. To commemorate WHD-2008, the WHO Country office facilitated
media activities as well as campaign events. These functions were very
creative and generated awareness about the health outcomes of climate
change.
 WHO
India had provided technical inputs into the development of two Public
Service Announcements (PSAs). All India Radio had
started broadcasting these PSAs since 1st
April as part of run-up activities. The 30-second spots were aired in 11
regional languages as well as in Hindi and English from 28 stations (including
two Union Territories) of All India Radio. The
PSAs focused on climate change outcomes (such as
water scarcity and floods) and the harm caused to the environment by human activities.
The
Impact of Global Warming on Health
was the subject of a talk-show on the Delhi
station of All India Radio on the morning of 7th April 2008.
This was a phone-in programme in Hindi where many
listeners interacted with a panel (composed of Mr. A.K. Sengupta from
WHO-India and Dr. Nitish Dogra
from The Energy Research Institute). The show was anchored by Dr. Bir Singh from the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences.
WHO-India
had collaborated with Health Fitness Trust, New Delhi to organize a month-long health
campaign that culminated on World Health Day 2008.
Many of the run-up activities culminated in the event organized at Secretariat
Ground, Vinay Marg in New Delhi.
Sixty of the most
creative posters formed part of the photo exhibit for the main event
on World Health Day-2008.
The
participant, whose declamation was adjudged the best, spoke on the effects
of climate change
A
Mass Awareness Campaign was
organized at Secretariat Sports Complex grounds, Vinay
Marg Chanakyapuri. Fifty
commandos presented an honour guard and managed
the Race Route
marshaling.
Hon’ble Union Minister
for Health and Family Welfare, dr. Abumani ramadoss, was the
Chief Guest. In his message, the Hon’ble Minister
emphasized the way climate change adversely affects the fundamental
determinants of health: food, air and water and increases the national disease burden.
Dr. S.J. Habayeb,
WHO Representative to India,
who was a Guest of Honour, urged the young to take
actions regarding climate change, before it is too late.
500 young people from Schools, Scouts and
Guides and NCC, soldiers from Raj Rifles and senior
citizen’s club participated in the function. Representatives from various NGOs,
residents welfare associations and Delhi Police were
present and added value to the event.
It was heartening to hear slogans like “Our Health, our future” ring across
the grounds from the huge audience of 2500 participants.
School children staged a thematic show on
climate change.
A yoga demonstration emphasized the
importance of keeping fit.
Dr. Ramadoss
flagged off a health run for the children.
Prizes for the painting and declamation
competitions, health run and commemorative plaques for participation were presented
to the participants by the Hon’ble Minister for Health
& Family Welfare, WHO Representative and the Director, Department of Women
and Child development, Government of Delhi.
The Hon’ble
Minister for Health & Family Welfare and the WHO Public Health Administrator
planted a sapling to emphasize the importance of conservation.
The press and electronic media covered the programme and captured the ambience of the WHD-2008 events.
The curtain-raiser, run-up events and the main
celebration of WHD-2008 was well attended.
The mass awareness event had participation not only from the WHO office but
also from the various sectors, who are potential advocates and agents of
change in the campaign to mitigate the negative outcomes of climate change
on human health.
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