WHO calls for science-led health action
KARACHI:
The World Health Organisation has called
for renewed commitment to science and collaboration as key drivers of better
health, as Pakistan joins the rest of the
world in observing World Health Day on
April 7.
This year’s theme, “Together for
health. Stand with science,” marks the anniversary of WHO’s founding and
launches a year-long global campaign focused on strengthening evidence-based
public health action.
In a
statement issued from Geneva on April 6, the WHO highlighted
that human health has been transformed over the past century largely due to
scientific progress and international cooperation. It noted that the global
maternal mortality rate has declined by more than 40 per cent since 2000, while
deaths among children under five have dropped by over half, reflecting gains
driven by advances in medicine, technology and coordinated public health
efforts.
Scientific innovation continues to
turn once life-threatening conditions — including hypertension, cancer and HIV
infection — into manageable diseases, extending life expectancy and improving
quality of life worldwide, the agency said.
However, it cautioned that health
threats are evolving, fuelled by climate change, environmental degradation,
conflicts and shifting demographics. These challenges are straining health
systems and increasing the risk of both persistent and emerging diseases with
epidemic or pandemic potential.
“Science is one of humanity’s most
powerful tools for protecting and improving health,” said Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. He noted that vaccines, antibiotics,
diagnostic technologies and breakthroughs such as the mapping of the human
genome have saved billions of lives and reshaped global health outcomes.
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| Source: Sindh Health Department |
WHO also pointed to its role in
coordinating global scientific responses to health emergencies, including the
rapid identification of the virus responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak and
the promotion of infection prevention measures such as alcohol-based hand
hygiene in healthcare settings.
In line with this year’s theme, WHO
and its partners are convening global forums and summits to strengthen
collaboration among governments, scientists and public health institutions.
Chief Scientist Sylvie Briand
emphasised that scientific evidence must remain central to health decision-making,
warning that misinformation and untested approaches could undermine progress.
WHO called on governments,
institutions and individuals — including in Pakistan — to support
science-driven policies and work collectively to build resilient and equitable
health systems capable of addressing current and future challenges.
--IV News desk
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