Every year on 7 April, World Health Day (WHD) commemorates the World Health Organization’s (WHO) foundation anniversary and focuses on a different public health issue. In addition to emphasizing the path towards attaining Health For All, this year’s theme, 75 Years of Improving Public Health, will be used to commemorate WHO’s 75th anniversary.
Right to health is a fundamental human right. Everyone must have free access to the medical care they require whenever and wherever they need it. Thirty per cent of the world’s population lacks access to basic healthcare services. Almost two billion individuals experience catastrophic or subsistence-level health costs, with major disparities affecting those living in the most vulnerable circumstances.
The goal of Health For All is to create a society where everyone is in good health and can live happy, productive lives. Many NGOs work to better the lives of people and children who belong to challenging socio-economic backgrounds. The vision of Bengaluru-based NGO Akshaya Patra, which has 22 years of expertise in providing wholesome mid-day meals to government school children nationwide, has been instrumental in enhancing their overall health condition. We serve school lunch under the Government’s PM Poshan Abhiyaan (previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme).
How good nutrition boosts overall health
A healthy diet is represented by nutrition-dense food that includes lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats and colourful fruits and vegetables. The meals that we serve, replace trans fats, added salt and sugar-containing foods with more nutrient-dense alternatives as part of healthy eating practices.
Proper nutrition in early childhood protects the child from various diseases and infections that can prevent age-appropriate growth. A healthy childhood paves the way to a healthy life. And here Akshaya Patra’s role becomes remarkable. Like World Health Day, which aims to provide ‘Health For All’, we aim to give every child a healthy start with healthy and nutritious mid-day meals.
The mid-day meal guidelines also suggest that the food served should contain essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin A and so on. We, at Akshaya Patra, diligently follow all the instructions while preparing the mid-day meals.
We also serve nutritious food in Anganwadi centres to children aged 3-6, pregnant and lactating mothers, a step towards creating a healthy foundation during critical stages of growth.
By implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme and the Anganwadi Feeding Programme, we are creating a healthy and strong foundation for growing children, contributing to the theme of World Health Day: ‘Health For All.’
This World Health Day, you can support the nutrition of those in need by supporting our Mid-Day Meal Programme. Your contribution can also qualify for a tax exemption of 50% under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
This World Health Day, Build a Fairer Healthier Tomorrow
