On World Health Day, World Health Organization turns 75 | WHO

Today marks the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO).  On 7 April 1948, countries of the world came together and signed the Charter for the foundation of WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being.  In commemoration of this landmark initiative, April 7 is observed annually around the world as World Health Day. The theme for this year is Health for All.

Working with 194 Member States across the WHO regional offices and in more than 150 offices, WHO envisions a world where Health for All is realized. The right to health is a basic human right that promotes health and wellbeing, dignity and a good quality of life for everyone, despite who they are, where they live or what they do.

The WHO has been key partner in supporting the government of Liberia to achieve its national health agenda.

Over the past 64 years of WHO’s in collaboration with partners has supported the government of Liberia to achieve better health outcomes and tangible progress in public health with some key milestones.  These milestones include control of poliomyelitis, robust response to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, prevention and control of communicable diseases especially malaria, and non-communicable and neglected tropical diseases through policy and strategic guidance, technical and operational support. 

 “WHO’s 75^th anniversary is an opportunity for us to stop and reflect on the remarkable achievements in advancing the health and wellbeing of the people of Liberia,” says Dr. Clement Peter, WHO Representative in Liberia. “It is also the chance for us to come together around our common goal and renew our commitment to tackle the challenges that lay ahead.”

At the heart of #healthforall is the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), where people can have access to affordable, equitable, good quality and sustainable health care. In the WHO African Region, around 25% of health expenditure comes out of people’s pockets, thus contributing to pushing hundreds of millions of people in the African region further below the poverty line. National health strategies should therefore position primary health care as the entry point into a health system which not only treats ill health, but also prevents illness and promotes good health throughout life course.

In terms of health status, the life expectancy in Liberia has significantly improved from 39.7 years (1971) to 64.1 years (2022) of the last five decades. Currently, Liberia’s Universal Health Essential Services Coverage index stands at 42/100 against the national target of 80/100.

The African region is also facing unprecedented health emergencies, driven by conflict, political instability, and the effects of climate change. The Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years and floods caused by cyclones and tropical storms are hitting countries in southern Africa. These climate events are driving outbreaks of measles, polio, mpox, cholera and yellow fever. There are ongoing disease outbreaks in 31 African countries and more than half of these have more than one concurrent outbreak.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rolled back the hard-won gains made in routine immunization against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. In the past three years, it is estimated that 21 million children have not received a single vaccine dose. In 2021, the world saw the worst continued decline in routine immunization in 30 years, and WHO estimates that, without immediate action to catch up and get back to normal, immunization coverage will not return to 2019 levels until 2027.

Despite these challenges, Liberia as a country made significant strides in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and stands as the second country in Africa to have fully vaccinated 81% of its population by December 2022; currently, efforts are underway to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization. WHO has been at the centre of these milestones through the provision of technical, financial, and logistical support.

Let us use this occasion to reflect on the health services we want. Universal health coverage (UHC) offers financial protection and access to quality essential services, lifts people out of poverty, promotes the well-being of families and communities, protects against public health crises, and moves us toward #HealthForAll.