Kupang, 1 September 2023 – WHO's 75th birthday is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in public health, and to recommit to achieving health equity
On 7 April 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates its 75th birthday along with its 194 Member States and many other partners, marking a milestone in global health. The theme of this year's celebration is "Health for All", emphasizing the importance of ensuring that everyone has equal access to the essential means for a healthy life, including quality health services, healthy and safe food, water, sanitation, and environments for living, learning, and working without discrimination.
Indonesia joined WHO in 1950 and has been working hand in hand to achieve health for all people in the nation. Indonesia has made remarkable progress in improving health outcomes, but there is still much work to be done to achieve health equity. While the country has seen notable achievements in terms of coverage of the country’s social health insurance, or Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, which currently covers more than 90% of the population, as well as in reducing communicable diseases and child mortality, many people still lack access to essential means for health, particularly persons with disabilities, women, elderly, and those living in poverty.
To mark the occasion, the WHO has called for a renewed commitment to health equity in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, and around the world. "We must remember that health is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves equal opportunities to live a healthy and productive life, regardless of gender, age, race, economic status, physical ability, and geographical location," said Dr Mukta Sharma, Technical Officer of WHO Indonesia, in the opening of WHO75 multimedia exhibition and events in Kupang.
The WHO has pledged its continued support for Indonesia in achieving this commitment. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that protecting health is fundamental to our economies, societies, security and stability. It also highlighted the existing health inequities and how they resulted in disproportionate risks and socioeconomic impacts of the disease to vulnerable groups in the community. Learning from the pandemic, WHO stands ready to support the countries of the world to build back a healthier and fairer world for all.
In parallel to these efforts, the NTT province has worked closely with WHO to bring forth health for all citizens in NTT.
The collaboration occurs in, among others, improving children nutrition, immunization, and surveillance. In the case of immunization, WHO is committed to support Indonesia to reach all children and close the immunization gap to prevent future outbreaks. Since June 2022, WHO has stationed a vaccination technical officer in NTT to provide comprehensive and direct immunization support on the ground.
NTT and WHO also go hand in hand to prevent and control diseases, such as malaria and neglected tropical diseases. WHO has teamed up with Timor Leste to eliminate malaria on Timor Island through conducting malaria situation assessment, surveillance training for staff of Puskesmas located on border areas, and preparing to conduct a study about the efficacy of therapy in West Sumba and Kupang districts. WHO has also supported rabies joint risk assessment and surveillance, as well as in the process of supplying rabies vaccine for NTT. In addition, WHO has supported activities to accelerate the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Sumba Barat Daya district.
Mukta Sharma concluded, "We have made great strides in improving health outcomes for people in general, but much work remains to address health inequities in Kupang, NTT, and Indonesia. Let us renew our commitment to health equity and work together to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to live a healthy and productive life."
Taking place from 1 to 3 September 2023, the WHO75 exhibition in Lippo Plaza Kupang features photos and videos of public health programmes, covering topics such as infectious disease control, vaccine-preventable diseases, public health emergencies, environmental health, and health promotion. There will be discussions, healthy walk and competitions to promote preventive health practices, disseminate health information, and encourage individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles. The exhibition and events are open for public and free.
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