13 April 2023

Harare, Zimbabwe - On 31 March 2023, the Acting World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Zimbabwe, Professor Jean- Marie Dangou paid a courtesy call on Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga. He was accompanied by Emergency Team Lead Dr Lincoln Charimari and the Health Systems Strengthening Team Lead Dr Stanley Midzi.

On 7^th April 2023, the world celebrated the World Health Day and the 75^th anniversary of the World health organization under the theme Health for All. With this theme, the aim is to call for a new drive for health equity, to leave no one behind, a concept in line with the WHO principles, which states that Health is one of the fundamental rights of human beings, regardless of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.

“I was unconscious, with severe headache and fever. Three days later, my family and I realized it was malaria after being tested at a nearby health post.” A community member of Mogotho Village from Okavango, one of Botswana’s most malarious districts explained his ordeal at the hands of the disease. “I almost died," he added as he remembered how the disease affected his body.  Aged 77, the man described how he contracted malaria after being bitten by a mosquito outside his home in Okavango District.

_{By Tatenda Chimbwanda}

World Health Day, commemorated every year on April 7, marks the anniversary of WHO’s founding in 1948 and promotes good health and wellbeing. This year, in addition to drawing attention to Health for All, the theme of the commemoration, WHO is also celebrating 75 years of promoting and improving public health.  

Because the 7th of April coincided with the Easter celebrations, Zambia only officially celebrated WHO’s successes and the World Health Day on April 12, 2023, at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently conducted a Joint Operational Review (JOR) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from March 27th to March 31st, 2023. The review aimed to assess WHO's humanitarian response to northern Ethiopia and drought emergencies, identify gaps, challenges, and best practices, and integrate them into the next phase of the response and recovery plans. 

As we commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) on 7 April 2023 under the theme of The 2023 World Health Day  "Health for all" , we pause to take stock of public health milestones. We also pause to take stock of current and future challenges, and the need to collectively ensure that the most vulnerable and furthest behind have access to quality, essential health care services.   

Harare, Zimbabwe – This World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Established in 1948 by countries around the world, WHO's mission is to promote health, ensure global safety, and serve the vulnerable, with the ultimate goal of achieving the highest level of health and well-being for all. With a presence in over 150 offices and working with 194 Member States across six regions.