Today, April 7, 2025, the world commemorates World Health Day, an annual observance sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to raise awareness about critical global health issues.
This year’s focus is on “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” a campaign dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health worldwide.
The 2025 World Health Day campaign brings into sharp focus the urgent need to address the alarmingly high rates of preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
According to the WHO, nearly 300,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Furthermore, over two million newborns die within their first month of life, and another two million are stillborn. This translates to a preventable death occurring every seven seconds.
The “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” campaign highlights the gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the critical need to prioritize women’s long-term well-being, push for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies, and promote collaborative efforts in supporting parents and healthcare professionals who provide essential care.
In South Africa, like many other nations, challenges persist in ensuring adequate maternal healthcare. Reports of dire conditions in maternity wards, including shortages of beds, staff, and equipment, underscore the need for urgent action.
“The focus of this year’s World Health Day, ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,’ deeply resonates with the need to improve health outcomes, especially within vulnerable populations,” said health officials.
The WHO and its partners are calling on governments, healthcare institutions, and communities to prioritise improving access to quality prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care; strengthening healthcare systems to manage maternal and newborn health issues; and supporting women and families through policies that safeguard their health and rights.
World Health Day 2025 serves as a powerful reminder that every mother and newborn deserves the opportunity to thrive. By working together, we can create healthier beginnings and more hopeful futures for generations to come.
