The theme chosen for this year’s World Health Day- “International Health Security”- clearly shows that with the advent of globalization the world has indeed become a global village with its attendant borderless countries.
It is pertinent to know that in a globalized world, emerging epidemics cross national borders and threaten our collective security. Threats to health and security, no doubt, are multiplying and moving faster than ever before.
HIV and AIDS is a powerful example of how interdependent health and security have become. HIV and AIDS threatens the stability of entire nations and regions affecting the most productive members of society.
In recent times Avian Influenza scared many countries including Ghana and this is another example of how interdependent health and security have become.
We can therefore not down play the fact that protecting the health of people and ensuring the security of all those affected requires political will and commitment at the highest level and close collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.
threats to health security are many and varied: they include redden shocks to health and economies from emerging diseases such as Severe respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian flu.
It must be noted that tackling the health effects of these threats involves a convective effort to improve preparedness and to respond appropriately when they occur.
Indeed, the shortage of safe drinking water and its impact on health and security after hurricane Katrina, and the tsunami in Asia, clearly demonstrate the importance of advance preparation and the ability to response quickly.
This brings to the fore the need for all countries, irrespective of level of development, to coordinate and collaborate to strengthen public health systems and surveillance in order to contain outbreaks of infections diseases.
Health should be seen in its entirety – emcomp arising provisions of portable and safe water, conductive environments, excellent sanitation and health information to allow for informed choices, education on personal hygiene, promoting physical activity, rest and recreation and nutrition.
Food safety and food security, road safety as well as social housing are all important aspects of health that are too often relegated to the background.
As an independent and sovereign nation Ghana needs a broad and integrated view of health and its determinants to help us articulate our own health needs and agree on common policies to tackle them.
Health problems may be global but the solution to them must be localized. Just as the family is the unit of society, global issues emanate from countries and must be handled locally before they cross borders.
It is in this view that the Ministry of Health, having looked at the huge expenditure on curing disease, have decided on a new health paradigm shift that focuses on health promotion under the them “Creating Wealth Through Health”.
The time has come for Ghanaians to take full control of our lives by disciplining burelves and adopting health behaviors and lifestyles that will protect and prevent us from diseases.
It has been proved without doubt that with good nutrition, regular exercises, relationships, clean environments etc, we would regenerate our health.
Good health is an important determinant of the socio-economic development of any nation. We therefore need to protect our health and stay healthy to help build our nation.
In effect our future as a nation and as a global village would be secured from any health threats if we collectively invest in health to enable us build a safer future for all.
The Ministry of Health Ghana joins the WHO to celebrate World Health Day 2007 and wishes its staff a happy and memorable celebration. |
