World Health Day

7 April 2009

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the founding of WHO. Each year, the Organization selects a key global health issue and organizes international, regional and local events on the Day and throughout the year to highlight the selected area.

In 2009, World Health Day is dedicated to the theme "Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies."

Among the casualties in emergencies, disasters and other crises (natural, biological, technological, or societal and conflict-related) are often health workers, facilities and services. This, in turn, deprives affected populations of vital health services that can be the difference between life and death.

The theme underscores the importance of ensuring that health facilities are resilient enough to withstand such hazards and are prepared to operate in their wake to serve both the people directly affected and others in surrounding communities. Health facilities include all premises offering health care services, from specialized hospitals and tertiary hospitals, to primary health care centres and local clinics.