April is a crucial month for healthcare – The 7th of April marks World Health Day, while World Autism Awareness Day is observed on the 2nd of April.

Every year on April 7th, World Health Day (WHD) commemorates the date the World Health Organization (WHO) was established. Every year, a theme draws attention to a crucial global public health issue. In 2023, the theme is considered “Health for All”. It indicates the concept of Universal Health Coverage – which aims towards equity for accessing healthcare through all walks of society.

Image Source: Unitex

Universal Health Coverage aims at the fact that healthcare access should be for everyone, irrespective of gender, age, profession, etc. The concept of “equity” remains alien to many, so it is essential to highlight that healthcare is a right and not a luxury.

To enable awareness, health literacy is crucial – what is to be known and how much is to be known. More importantly, doctor-patient transparency is very important, to understand the boundaries of patient confidentiality – these are the cornerstones of health literacy.

This WHD, let’s pledge towards understanding healthcare better, and help each other realize the importance of healthcare access and awareness.

That brings us to World Autism Awareness Day, which highlights the importance of awareness of Autism. There is little but increasing awareness about people living on the autism spectrum, and how they can lead a normal life, with access to a wholesome life.

Image Source: Public Health Update

On April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, structures, residences, and towns join forces with the international community to Light It Up Blue in honor of those with autism and those who care for and support them. The lack of understanding about autism has a catastrophic impact on those who have it, as well as their families and society. Autism is widespread throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, there are still considerable obstacles to neurological disorders diagnosis and treatment that need to be overcome by public authorities in developing nations as well as international contributors.

Author Dr. Chandrima Chatterjee is a Dental surgeon by profession who is currently working in the domain of pharmacovigilance. She is also experienced in working in Public Health, with an inclination toward mental health.

Leave a Reply