Lilongwe: On 31 July 2015, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with partners commemorated the 2015 World Health Day. The theme for World Health Day this year is ‘How safe is food? From farm to plate, make food safe!’ At the same occasion the measles second dose for children campaign was also launched. The Guest of Honor was the Minister of Health, Honorable Dr Jean Kalilani, MP.

On the day the Dr Kalilani and the World Health Organization Representative (WR) Dr Eugene Nyarko vaccinated one child each against measles as a symbolic launch of the measles second dose in Malawi. Among the invited guests present were the Secretary for Health, Dr McPhil Magwira, the Chief of Health Services, Dr Charles Mwansambo, the Country Representative of UNICEF, Mr Mahimbo Mdoe, the representative from USAID, the members of the Diabetes Association of Malawi, Civil Society of Malawi and the press.

In her speech Dr Kalilani stated that MOH decided to commemorate the World Health Day while also launching the measles second dose immunization campaign because MOH would like to emphasize  the importance the health of the nation. ‘The government through MOH is currently focusing on implementing interventions that prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, the ministry can achieve this if we all work together to prevent these diseases in Malawi,’ Dr Kalilani said.

In his speech Dr Nyarko highlighted the fact that there is also a concern on the increase of resistant microorganisms entering the food chain. ‘Food safety serves as a good platform to bring stakeholders together to address antimicrobial resistance. In combating antimicrobial resistance, prudent use of antimicrobials in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal husbandry is critical, as is the case in human medicine.

Production of safe food facilitates access to wider markets and improves overseas earnings for a nation’s economic development,’ he said. He concluded by emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in making food safe and urged all food handlers and consumers to be familiar with common food hazards and handle and prepare food safely. He also commended the MOH for combining the launching of the measles second dose immunization campaign with the commemoration of the World Health Day as this is also an important, lifesaving and cost effective public health intervention.

The occasion was also characterized by an exhibition of various health promoting interventions and products mounted by the Ministry of Health and partners including WHO, which was toured by the Minister. At the WHO stand a two and half video on the theme of the World Heath Day was shown to all who visited it.

It was clear at the function that this year’s theme ‘How safe is food? From farm to plate, make food safe!’ was a wakeup call for the Government of Malawi to prioritize food safety, align policies in agriculture, trade, health, education, social protection and mobilize adequate financial resources to make food safe for all. 

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For more information, please contact:

KUBWALO Hudson Wenji, Email: kubwaloh [at] who.int