World Health Day 2025 is observed globally on April 7, marking the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
Theme 2025: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” puts a spotlight on maternal and newborn health.
Maternal and Newborn Health
According to World Health Organization:
- Every year, approximately 300,000 women die due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth.
- Over 2 million babies die in their first month of life.
- Another 2 million are stillborn, many of whom could have survived with timely medical intervention.
- It equates to 1 preventable death every 7 seconds.
These numbers highlight a critical gap in maternal and neonatal healthcare services. The current trajectory shows that:
- 4 out of 5 countries are not on track to meet the 2030 target for reducing maternal deaths.
- 1 in 3 countries will miss the goal of lowering newborn mortality rates.
It reveals a global health emergency, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, where access to essential maternal and newborn care remains limited.
Key Rural Missions Making a Difference
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Grameen:
- Launched in 2014 from Red Fort, becoming a nationwide Jan Andolan.
- Focus on behavioral change, dignity, equity, and inter-generational equity.
- Declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019, 11 years ahead of SDG 6.2 targets.
- Impact: Over 300,000 diarrhoeal deaths averted (2014-2019), improved environmental outcomes, reduced groundwater contamination.
- Women’s safety improved: 93% of women felt safer post-toilet access.
- Economic gains: ODF families saved ₹50,000 annually in healthcare costs.
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):
- Launched in 2019 to provide clean drinking water via tap connections to rural households.
- Impacts:
- Reduced infant mortality by up to 30% (as per Dr. Michael Kremer’s research).
- Potential to prevent 400,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually (WHO).
- Saved 55 million hours daily, mostly by women, enhancing their participation in agriculture.
Integrated Campaigns for Holistic Health
- Sujal and Swachh Gaon Campaign:
- Focuses on integrating water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) at the village level.
- Thousands of villages declared Swachh Sujal, signifying comprehensive public health transformation.
On-Ground Achievements
- Over 80% of rural households now have tap water connections.
- 96% of villages declared ODF Plus.
- 507,000 villages have solid waste management systems; 523,000 villages manage liquid waste.
- Women empowered as:
- Water quality testers (2.48 million trained).
- Sanitation entrepreneurs managing assets, recycling centers, and sanitary napkin production.
Health as a Foundation for National Growth
- Sanitation and clean water as the first line of defense in public health.
- Improved health leads to increased productivity and resilience.
- The vision of Viksit Bharat: Ensuring no child misses school due to water scarcity, no woman carries water over long distances, and no family suffers from preventable illnesses.
Convergence of Ministries for Sustainable Impact
- Health outcomes depend on integrated efforts across:
- Water, Sanitation, Nutrition, Education, and Rural Development sectors.
- India’s model as a global benchmark for the Global South, showcasing innovations in:
- Real-time dashboards, GOBARdhan biogas plants, plastic waste management.
Global Relevance and the Way Forward
- Every rupee invested in WASH yields manifold returns in health, productivity, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.
- India’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to drive global collaboration.
- Key message: Good health begins at home with clean water, safe sanitation, and a collective resolve.
