7 April 2010 - World Health Day is being marked today with a number of events and activities across Afghanistan. At an event at the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul one of the key note speakers was Peter Graaff, Country Director of the World Health Organization in Afghanistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is indeed a pleasure and privilege to be here among you to mark the World Health Day and in such an appropriate setting.

This year World Health Day addresses “urbanization and health”, an area of great importance given the mounting health challenges that are arising in our urbanized world. Rapid urbanization and its economic, social, environmental and health impact are distinct characteristics of many countries, Afghanistan, and Kabul in particular, not being an exception. Urbanization is driven by rapid population growth and changes in economic and social development. Most capital investment and public facilities are concentrated in cities, with large cities providing most of the non-agricultural wage-earning jobs, and educational opportunities. Urbanization, therefore can offer tremendous opportunities for development.

At the same time, lack of adequate urban planning and management under an enforceable legal framework, is a root causes of health challenges and poor quality of life. Our cities have difficulties with water, sewerage, air pollution, environmental hazards and unsafe housing. Violence and injuries are rising and health coverage is poor for many, despite the proximity of services. People in cities have developed unhealthy diets and a sedentary lifestyle, with little physical activity. City life contributes to a rise in tobacco and illicit drug use. In short, lifestyle-related health risks for both the rich and poor have increased substantially due to urbanization.

The physical, social and economic fabric of slum areas in particular contributes to higher infant and maternal mortality rates, and higher incidence of measles, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, vaccine-preventable diseases, malaria, malnutrition and depression, to name but some of the problems faced by their inhabitants. Restricted access to quality health services and care increases the risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. All these factors contribute to health inequity and poor quality of life for the urban poor, with children and women being especially vulnerable.

The aim of World Health Day 2010 is to promote a year-long campaign that puts the health challenges in cities on to the national and local level development agendas. Our, your, campaign seeks to secure high-level political commitment; raise awareness and public understanding; and encourage intersectoral partnerships and community involvement––in order to promote health in urban policy-making. In addition the campaign includes an unprecedented global initiative “1000 cities, 1000 lives”, which brings together policy-makers, communities and individuals to highlight the importance of making health a priority in urban development. I am pleased to be able to inform you that six cities of Afghanistan (Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif) have joined this initiative, and are planning health-related activities to take place throughout the year. Locally developed initiatives include a variety of activities which vary from public consultation and debate, city cleaning and greening exercises, public health messages, free medical check-ups, sports and other physical activities, school activities and more. WHO acknowledges and greatly appreciates the commitment of the mayors and governors of these cities.

Since the health conditions in urban slum areas require urgent attention, WHO urges city planners, United Nations partners, civil society and community members to work together and to pool resources and efforts to improve health and quality of life and reduce health inequity in urban slums. The areas that need immediate attention include: improving cities’ health governance, reviewing the urban health system and ensuring better and equitable access to quality health services for all. Special consideration needs to be paid to the needs of children living in slum areas, their health and well-being. In addition, promotion of environmental improvement, job and income-generation for the poor, and the education of women are vital ingredients for a healthier city population.

Health development in urban areas requires commitment at national and local level. It requires an integrated approach, and a planned response from government, academia and civil society. Only then will we be able to fill the basic development gaps in our cities and improve the quality of life of our people.

We are confident that this year’s activities, and the partnerships they bring between different Government departments, participating cities and civil society, will be the starting point for building sustainable action-oriented efforts to improve health, and reduce health inequity, in urban areas.

Let’s all work together and make urban health a priority!

Website: World Health Organization in Afghanistan