World Health Day- 2019 Theme: “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere”

The World Health Day is one of many opportunities to communicate about the importance of equity in health-care services, for not only the health of individuals but also for the health of economies and society at large. Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality health services when and where they need them, without financial hardship. At least half of the people in the world do not receive the health services they need. About 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health. Health is a human right; everyone should have the information and services they need to take care of their own health and the health of their families (WHO, 2019).

The programme began with an invocation by Ms. Saraswathi Hebbar, Asst. Lecturer, MSON, Manipal followed by a welcome address by Dr.Shashidhara YN, HoD, Dept. of Community Health Nursing. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr.Om Prakash Kattimani, District Health Officer, Udupi. After the inaugural program he addressed the audience regarding the community people who are not aware of all the services and treatment modalities available for the prevention and control of common communicable and non-communicable diseases which are responsible for causing morbidity, mortality and economic burden to the nation. He emphasized that the community should be made aware about the services and the treatment available for free of cost at the government level, by the health care providers at the periphery such as ASHA & Anganwadi workers. 

Dr.Anice George, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE,Manipal in her presidential address felt that each and every member of the health team from different sectors have an important role in delivering the care and services to the community towards creating health awareness and promoting the health for all in Udupi district. Following this, an oath on Swachatha Abhiyaan and election were carried out.

Dr.Surendra Chimbalkar P, District Leprosy officer provided detailed information on various services under Ayushman Bharat & Aarogya Karnataka programme. The overview of non-communicable diseases was provided by Dr.Vasudeva, District Surveillance Officer (NCD Unit), District Hospital, Udupi which was followed by a skit to create an awareness on non-communicable diseases by city college of Nursing students.

A total of 100 participants benefitted out of the programme. The participants of the programme comprised of Junior Female Health Assistants, Anganwadi Teachers, ASHA workers and self-help group, faculty from the organizing team.
The program came to an end by a vote of thanks by Mrs.Vijaya Bai, District IEC Coordinator, Udupi. The Master of the ceremony for the programme was Ms. Reshma R Kotian, Lecturer, Dept. of Community Health Nursing. The programme was coordinated by Mrs.Manjula, Asst. Professor, MCON, Manipal.

As a part of World Health Day 2019, another event, the cervical cancer screening camp was organized on 7th April 2019 at Anganwadi, Nehru Nagar, Saralabettu, Manipal by the Dept. of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal in association with the Dept. of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal.

The camp was started at 9.30am. The Pap smear screening was performed for 13 women. Height, weight and blood pressure of the participants were recorded. The significance of breast self-examination also was emphasized during the camp. The means of communication of the test report and the treatment for the same is informed to the participants. The Pap smear screening was performed by the Health team from the Department of Community Medicine. The camp was winded up at 12.30pm. The programme was coordinated by Mrs.Manjula, Asst. Professor, MCON, Manipal.