World Health Day: Nigerians, Prioritize Your Well-being Today By Maimuna Katuka Aliyu

By Maimuna Katuka Aliyu,

World Health Day, observed annually on April 7th, is more than just a celebration of health it is a call to action. Organized by the World Health Organization WHO, the day highlights the importance of addressing global health challenges.

For 2025, the theme is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," focusing on maternal and newborn health, a critical issue that demands urgent attention worldwide.

The theme for 2025 underscores the stark realities of maternal and newborn health. Each year, over 300,000 women lose their lives due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, while millions of babies face premature death or stillbirth.

These tragic statistics highlight the need for improved healthcare services, greater access to quality care, and stronger healthcare systems to ensure safe pregnancies and childbirth for every woman and child.

In this light, World Health Day 2025 aims to bring global attention to the preventable factors contributing to maternal and newborn deaths.

The WHO emphasizes that with the right interventions, including access to skilled birth attendants, quality postnatal care, and essential health services, many of these deaths can be avoided.

This years observance calls for both policy makers and health professionals to invest in programs that ensure the well-being of mothers and their babies, particularly in low-income and marginalized communities.

World Health Day provides an opportunity for governments, NGOs, and individuals to renew their commitment to maternal and newborn health.

The day serves as a reminder that investing in the health of mothers and infants is essential to building healthier, more sustainable societies.

It also calls for a collective effort to address the health disparities that prevent women and children from accessing the care they need, regardless of their background or location.

Ahead of tomorrows World Health Days commemoration, it's clear that improving maternal and newborn health should be a global priority.

The theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," challenges us to act now and create a world where every child is given the best start in life, and every mother has access to the care she deserves.

Together, we can make this vision a reality and secure a healthier future for generations to come.