World Health Day – organised each year by the World Health Organisation – aims to raise awareness of key global health issues. This year’s theme is international health security.
The theme highlights that in an increasingly globalised world; health issues go beyond any single national border and can potentially have an impact on the collective security of all people across the world. It refers to epidemic-prone diseases and outbreaks such as an influenza pandemic, as well as the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS and humanitarian emergencies.
Speaking on World Health Day, Dr Michael McBride said; “The emergence of epidemic-prone diseases and outbreaks such as an influenza pandemic remains a very real threat to public health. The Department has been planning for a pandemic for some time. Our contingency plans involve the wider health service and other government Departments as well as agencies across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Preparations are well advanced.
“The main aims of the plan are to reduce illness, save lives, maintain essential services and reduce overall disruption to society. Its not just government that needs to plan, businesses too need to have in place Business Continuity Plans".
Dr McBride continued; “The timing and the precise impact of a pandemic flu might not be clear but by preparing for every eventuality now, before it occurs, we stand the best chance of reducing its impact. Even with good planning and preparation though, the consequences of a pandemic flu would still be very serious".
Commenting on the World Health Day theme of the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS, Dr Michael McBride took the opportunity to highlight the issue of general sexual health in Northern Ireland.
Dr McBride said; “There has been an increase of almost 100% in sexually transmitted infections here in the last 10 years. This represents an unacceptably high level of risk to an individual’s health and our collective health security. Those who are sexually active must take care to manage the level of risk to which they expose themselves. Your health is too important to take unnecessary risks.
“We need a positive culture about sexual health in Northern Ireland. It will be one of my priorities in the coming year to ensure that people think more responsibly about their sexual behaviour.”
World Health Day is organised annually to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation. More information can be found on the World Health Day website.
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