The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the theme for World Health Day on April 7, 2025, as “Maternal and Newborn Health.” Dr. Tasnim Ghaleb Sadeq Atatrah, the brand new WHO Representative in Türkiye, emphasised the significance of this theme and shared insights into Türkiye’s position in public well being.
Türkiye’s position
Atatrah highlighted that Türkiye is likely one of the precedence nations within the WHO European Region. She famous that Türkiye has been a frontrunner in implementing profitable well being packages, notably in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the nation showcased exemplary resilience and response efforts.
The consultant identified that the virus impacted individuals worldwide, no matter borders and careworn the significance of emergency preparedness, response and strengthening well being programs inside the WHO European Region’s work plan. She additionally underscored the worth of sharing classes discovered from the pandemic amongst nations to enhance international well being safety.
“Viruses do not respect borders or visas; they affect everyone. This makes it vital for all countries to establish strong emergency services and effective response systems,” Atatrah remarked.
Türkiye’s healthcare system
When discussing Türkiye’s healthcare system, Atatrah praised its robust basis, notably in household well being and community-based companies. This was evident not solely in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic but additionally in responses to pure disasters like earthquakes. He counseled the Turkish authorities’s efforts and the Ministry of Health’s contribution to those successes.
“Our core principle is health for all. No one is safe unless everyone is safe. This approach forms the basis of our collaboration with Türkiye,” Dr. Atatrah said.
Preparing for future pandemics
Atatrah additionally touched on WHO’s ongoing efforts to fight non-communicable illnesses (NCDs) like most cancers and coronary heart illness, which considerably contribute to each illness burden and mortality. While preventing infectious illnesses stays a precedence, new methods and motion plans for NCDs have been developed.
Looking forward, Atatrah warned that new pandemics may emerge sooner or later, making preparedness important. “There could be new pandemics, and we must be prepared. Our work on vaccination and immunization programs continues,” he mentioned.
This yr’s World Health Day theme, “Maternal and Newborn Health,” attracts consideration to a vital public well being subject worldwide. Atatrah highlighted that, in 2020, roughly 287,000 moms misplaced their lives resulting from problems associated to being pregnant and childbirth.
“The message for this year is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Happy Tomorrows.’ WHO will continue to focus on maternal health, not just on World Health Day but throughout the year,” mentioned Atatrah.
Atatrah expressed his appreciation for Türkiye’s strong well being care system, notably in offering high quality well being companies to moms and newborns throughout childbirth and postpartum. He remarked that this can be a clear signal of a powerful well being care system in place.
Additionally, he counseled Türkiye as a powerful instance of neighborhood well being and first well being care companies, emphasizing the energy of maternal and baby well being companies within the nation.
Source: www.dailysabah.com