Nigeria has joined the global community to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Health Day. This year’s celebration is themed “Health for All – Strengthening PHC to Build Resilient Systems,” with the WHO observing its anniversary under the theme “75 Years of Improving Public Health.”
The country’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, thanked the organization for its support to the health sector in Nigeria, calling on global leaders to allocate long-term sustainable funding and implement policies that support health workers everywhere.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO representative in Nigeria, noted that the anniversary provides an opportunity to motivate action to tackle present and future health challenges. He added that Nigeria, in collaboration with the WHO, has been achieving notable strides in combating infectious diseases, reducing maternal mortality, and increasing life expectancy.
The commemoration included a health walk in Abuja and various states across the country, free health care outreaches, and other health promotion events. Civil society organizations also expressed gratitude to the WHO for its support and leadership in building a viable health sector that promotes health, keeps the world safe, and serves the vulnerable.
The right to health is a basic human right that promotes health and well-being, dignity, and a good quality of life for everyone, regardless of who they are, where they live, or what they do. The WHO, with its mandate to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, is working with 194 member states across six regions and on the ground in more than 150 offices to achieve this goal.