JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

World AIDS day is observed on December 1 each year. World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988, making it one of the earliest international health days. Its primary purpose has been to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. In the 1980s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic emerged, there was widespread fear, stigma, and misinformation about the virus. The first World Health Assembly (WHA) met in 1948 at Geneva. Members of the assembly felt people all over the World suffered in World war. Members discussed global health issues, and felt the need of medical facility for everyone, when they are in need. Hence WHA stressed the importance of awareness of good health and wellbeing. To achieve this awareness about global health, all the members of World Health Organization (WHO), should devote 1 day to talk about good health and wellbeing, and also should provide the necessary medical help. Government organizations and non-governmental organizations of all nations joined hands with WHO. WHO decided to observe “World Health Day (WHD)” every year all over the World. The first WHD was observed on April 7 1950.1 Mahatma Gandhi, father of the Nation deeply sympathized towards the leprosy patients in India. On 30^th January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, Government of India decided to observe “Martyrs day 30^th January 1948” as “Anti-Leprosy Day in India”. Every year, in India January 30^th is observed as anti-leprosy day and entire January month, survey of all villages to detect leprosy cases, school health programme and leprosy awareness programme for common man are conducted. In 1954 French journalist Raoul Follereau saw the success of anti-leprosy awareness activities in India, and he wanted WHA to observe last Sunday of January as World Leprosy Day (WLD)”. Since 1954, every year “Last Sunday of every year is observed as World Leprosy Day”. In 1982, 24^th March is observed as “World Tuberculosis Day (WTD)”. Dr. Jonathan Mann made WHA to devote one day in a year to know the increasing menace of HIV/AIDS in 1988. WHA decided to observe 1st December as “World Aids Day (WAD)” since 1988. In 1991, November 14^th “World Diabetes Day (WDD)” is observed. In 1992, December 3^rd “World Disability Day (WDD)” is observed. In 2007, April 25^th “World Malaria Day (WMD)” is observed.