Qatar marks World Health Day observed on April 7th every year. This year it will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, highlighted the great significance of this year's World Health Day theme, as it focuses on the need to address the root causes of ill health through the cooperation of all sectors, with special focus on the prevention of environmental risks.
Her Excellency indicated that the State of Qatar has endeavored to develop a sustainable health system through intersectoral cooperation to improve health. Health in All Policies has been adopted as a priority in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, with a view to improving the health and equity for all populations by incorporating health considerations and implications into all decision-making processes. The State has also adopted many important projects and initiatives aimed at promoting health and the environment.
Her Excellency noted that the State of Qatar has adopted the Healthy Cities Program, which aims to provide the population with sustainable and healthier alternatives, which lead the World Health Organization (WHO) to recognize the municipalities of Doha and Al Rayyan and the Education City as Healthy Cities as part of a project aimed at adopting Healthy Cities for all municipalities in the country.
On World Health Day, WHO calls on governments, businesses, health professionals, NGOs, and individuals to protect our planet and our health.
The WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crisis is also a health crisis.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, environmental risks, including climate change, are responsible for 23% of the total burden of disease and as much as 30% of the disease burden for children. An estimated 1 million people die prematurely every year as a result of living and working in unhealthy environments.
Source: Ministry of Public Health