World Health Day 2019Introduction:
The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The theme of world health day 2019 is “Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere”.The slogan is health for all.
Universal Health Coverage(UHC) means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. Primary health care (PHC) is the most efficient and cost effective way to achieve universal health coverage around the world.
Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) also celebrated World Health Day on 7th April 2019 in auditorium hall at NAIHS.The event was organized by the Department of Community Medicine, NAIHS-COM with the active participation from the 3rd year MBBS students.
The chief guest of the program was Maj. Gen. Prof. Dr. Bacchu Ram K.C.(Rtd.), Executive Director of NAIHS, and was attended by Brig. Gen. Prof. Dr. Nagendra Bahadur K.C., Principal NAIHS-COM;Brig. Gen. Aruna Rai Principal CON; Col. Dr. Sudha Sen Malla Principal-COMP; Prof.Dr. Lochana Shrestha Head of Department, Dept of Community Medicine; government official from Department of Health Services; Official from World Health Organisation; Head of departments; faculties and students from 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th year MBBS of NAIHS-COM.
Program Activities: The program formally opened with a welcome speech by Prof.Dr. Lochana Shrestha followed by a speech from Brig. Gen. Prof. Dr. Nagendra Bahadur K.C., Principal NAIHS-COM where he talked about the importance of celebrating such days and highlighted the need to involve students in such activities. The Chief guest, Maj. Gen. Prof. Dr. Bacchu Ram K.C.(Rtd.) then gave his motivating speech where he talked about various dimensions of health and the need to do their responsible part by everyone, everyday to achieve the health for all and not restrict it to just one day in a year.
A presentation, ‘UHC- An introduction’ was given by Maj Dr Lee Budhathoki, Chief coordinator for the program, where the topic was introduced along with how to achieve UHC.
“Aayo UHC”, a catchy nepali folk song, written by Mr. Amrit Adhikari, Mr. Ram Pariyar and Mr. Priajan Ale Magar was then sung by students. Its lyrics was based on the benefits and services provided under UHC. A 30 minute role play, “Swastha sewa ma sarbabyapi pahuch, sabaika lagi swastha”, scripted by Ms. Manita Khadka, Mr Shiva Kumar Regmi, Mr Gaurab Koirala then captivated the audience. It depicted a rural village of Ramechhap where two families, ignorant and negligent towards PHC and UHC later develop positive attitude after facing financial burden when their family members get ill and realise the value of using PHC services and health insurance provided by the government. A heart touching slam poetry, “Health for All”, written and recited by Ms Manita Khadka and Ms Kala Shrestha left everyone emotional as it painted a vivid picture about two families who lost their beloved ones due to lack of basic health care and ignorance. There was also on online quiz competition with active participation of students of 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th year students upon UHC and prizes were distributed. Pamphlets, designed by Mr. Manoj Khadka and Mr. Amrit Adhikari were also to guests and participants. An art exhibition of sketches and paintings made by the students on the theme universal health coverage were displayed in the hall which was viewed by everyone while they enjoyed a cup tea. Some glimpses of the events:
