Issued by: Department of Health
Every year on April 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Health Day to commemorate the coming into force of the Constitution of the Organisation on April 7 1948. This year the theme for World Health day is: "Healthy Cities For Better Life".
In 1900, 10% of the World Population lived in cities, but by 1948, the world proportion was 30%. By the year 2000, it is estimated the proportion will be 50%. In the developing world, 600 million people live in unhealthy and life threatening conditions.
As cities grow, so does the adverse impact on health if socio economic conditions are not improved. Cholera, malnutrition, mental illness, accidents, and chronic respiratory infections thrive in unhealthy Urban settings.
The healthy Cities Programme is intended to forge partnerships between Local Government and it's constituencies, by involving beneficiary communities in the planning and implementation of Urban infrastructure programmes aimed at addressing housing, water supply and sanitation, health, education, transport, energy, and others.
In South Africa, the Greater Johannesburg Transitional Metropolitan Council is the only active participant in this World Health Organization global initiative. To this end the City has embarked on a process to elaborate the state of the environment through a community participatory forum.
The 1996 World Health day theme - "Healthy Cities for Better Life" is a holistic approach to ensure the Human constitutional right to an environment which is not detrimental to health or well being.
It is therefore the duty and responsibility of every person in South Africa to be involved. Therefore other Cities and towns are encouraged to emulate the example of the Greater Johannesburg Transitional Metropolitan Council and join forces with the Department of Health in making this initiative a success.
Enquiries: Directorate: Environmental Health or Lulu Sebake Tel: 012-312-0175