World Health Organization-Philippines to honor
President Aquino’s achievements in public health during World Health Day 2013
in Manila Monday
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s achievements
in attaining and improving the health of all Filipinos will take center stage
during the commemoration of World Health Day 2013 at the World Health
Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila on Monday.
In a statement, WHO Regional Director for the
Western Pacific Dr Shin Young-soo said it is fitting to celebrate World Health
Day “by recognizing President Aquino's exemplary leadership in public
health."
“Among his most significant accomplishments have
been raising taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and giving vulnerable Filipinos
access to health insurance and reproductive health care. He truly embodies the
principle from which WHO derives so much of its direction and inspiration: that
the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental
right," Shin said.
The theme of World Health Day 2013 is high blood
pressure, also known as hypertension which has been the leading source of many
heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. High blood pressure
is among the leading causes of preventable death.
The ultimate goal of World Health Day 2013 is to
reduce heart attacks and strokes. Specific objectives of the campaign are to:
raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of
health-care professionals; encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure;
make blood pressure measurement affordable to all; and encourage national and
local authorities to create enabling environments for healthy behaviors.
World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 (April
8 in Manila) to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health
Organization in 1948.
Aside from Dr Shin, joining the President for
the occasion will be Health Secretary Enrique Ona. PND (rck)
