WORLD HEALTH DAY
Since the last World Health Day a lot has happened. Back in April 2020 I certainly didn’t know what we were in for with the emerging pandemic and lockdowns coming into play globally.
It was quite fitting that last year’s overarching theme for World Health Day was to shine a light on all the work that our dedicated health professionals do daily. This is something that has never been more prominent as our frontline healthcare key workers have been stretched to their limits throughout the past 12 months. As such The World Health Organisation has declared 2021 the International Year of Health and Care Workers.
OUR THANKS
On a personal level, my partner is a Nurse in the NHS and I also have a number of close friends and family working within the NHS. I have seen a tiny glimpse into the dedication it has taken to not only deal with COVID-19 but also keep usual services operating where possible for the people who need them most.
However, 12 months on there is hope, with multiple vaccines now being made available globally. Some countries are able to take advantage of this quicker than others and that is one of the reasons the WHO have themed this year’s World Health Day on ‘building a fairer, healthier world’ as COVID-19 has magnified the disparity between countries where the wider ramifications of the pandemic such as unemployment, premature deaths of key earners within a family or just the laws and restrictions implemented from lockdowns have hit some of the most vulnerable communities across the world much harder than others.
BEYOND BORDERS
The World Health Organisation are rightly calling on world leaders to make a change, recognise inequalities in communities and aim to work beyond borders in a bid to help try and rebalance healthcare opportunities for all.
Whilst I alone am unable to affect international legislation, my personal take home from today is to be more aware of those in need and vulnerable globally. For many of us this past year it has been easy to be blinkered and solely focused on keeping ourselves and our families safe. As the UK takes tentative steps out of lockdown with a world leading vaccine program, I am hopeful we will also share our resources and play our part on a world stage for those most in need.
Written by John Cooper
Co-Founder & Director, VITY Ltd