World Health Day: the challenges of making the planet healthier

This April 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) turns 75 and takes advantage of the date to strengthen its commitments with the theme Health for all

In 1950, exactly two years after the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO), the body established the day dedicated to reflections, discussions and actions in favor of the needs of the population in terms of health, well-being and quality of life. .

Currently, among the concerns, experts warn about the importance of caring for the environment and promotion of sustainable practices. “In Brazil, our six biomes, the Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Pampas, are under attack,” laments healthcare Gonzalo Vecina, a professor at the Faculty of Public Health at the University of São Paulo (USP).

The degradation of biomes leads to an imbalance and increases the risk of viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. “Basic sanitation problems, such as lack of sewage and inadequate waste disposal, destroy the environment, and this has everything to do with health,” adds the doctor.

While recognizing and celebrating achievements such as smallpox eradication and lives saved through successful immunization campaigns around the world, WHO underlines the need to work towards equity, a keyword when it comes to improving conditions of life on the planet. “Social inequality generates hunger, lack of access to basic sanitation and education. In other words, it is related to suffering, illness and death,” explains Vecina.

SUS and healthcare financing

According to Gonzalo Vecina, the covid-19 health crisis has awakened in Brazilians a feeling of appreciation for the Unified Health System, the SUS. “This brings a perspective that we may now be able to look at the importance of structuring health care with different eyes, which will, of course, require more public policies targeted at this area,” he notes. “It is worth remembering that the SUS does not only serve the sick. It generates wealth, it can create jobs. For this we need to improve its functioning,” he says.

Another challenge for the country is to pay due attention to so-called neglected diseases. “The reality is that there is a lack of investment in research on tuberculosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, dengue. These are problems that are ignored because they are not present in the richest regions of the world. We, the affected countries, must wake up to the need to create our own industrial base , have a health system that generates value”, Vecina reiterates.

He exemplifies this with the good results obtained since 2007 with partnerships for production development, which have stimulated the capacity of national pharmaceutical companies In produce biotechnological products, reducing dependence on external suppliers.

Brazil, after all, has very good leads when it comes to public health, with entities like the Butantan Institute gaining prominence with the manufacture and export of flu vaccines. “Fiocruz too [Fundação Oswaldo Cruz] is a reference in this sector as a yellow fever immunization provider in several countries,” Vecina points out.

Among the businesses to be celebrated on this World Health Day in these parts, the doctor mentions the country’s health surveillance operation, which is on a par with those of the First World, in addition to the AIDS treatment system, with the supply of antiretroviral therapy that has gained global recognition. “We still have the largest public organ transplant system in the world,” he recalls. “Now we must focus on recovering what has also been a model, our immunization program. Vaccination coverage rates have dropped a lot. I believe that within a year it will be possible to reach higher levels”, expects the specialist.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.