INTRODUCTION
International public health days are commemorations that draw the attention of the public to issues, events or diseases of public health concern. There are many days of the year that have been set aside to increase awareness on the various public health problems that affect our world of today. However, few very important days have been selected by the Plateau State Branch of APHPN and celebrated since the beginning of the year 2022.
WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY (24TH MARCH 2022)
The theme of the world Tuberculosis (TB) day was “Invest to end TB. Save lives.” As a way of marking this special day, the state branch of the association deemed it fit to create more public awareness about TB and its prevention. A media engagement was carried out by the state branch of the association to mark the world TB day. A phone-in radio programme with Highland FM 101.5 on the theme of the day was held on the 23rd of March, 2022. This was anchored by Dr. Okoh and Dr. Mafwalal (the Plateau State Secretary General and immediate past Vice Chairman/current State Director of Public Health respectively).
WORLD HEALTH DAY (7TH APRIL 2022)
The World Health Day with the theme: Our Planet, Our Health, was marked by the state branch of APHPN as part of the global effort to create awareness and focus attention on the health of our planet and people living on it. Activities carried out include the following:
A. A radio programme on Peace FM 90.5 on the 5th of April, 2022. This was anchored by APHPN members, Drs. Emeribe and Birdling who sensitized the public on the theme of the world health day.
B. A television programme aired by NTA Jos on the 7th of April by Dr. Gofung and Dr. Achema (the State Branch’s PRO and Assistant Secretary General respectively) to discuss the theme of the day.
C. A virtual round-table discussion on the theme of the day was held on the 7th of April 2022 in the Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), in collaboration with Africa Zero Waste Recycling Partnership Initiative (AZWRPI), a Non-Governmental Organization. The presentation is attached below.
D. Tree planting exercise by Executives and members of the state branch within the vicinity of JUTH, with the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of JUTH (immediate past Chairman of APHPN Plateau branch) actively in attendance.
WORLD MALAIA DAY (25th April, 2022)
The theme of the world malaria day was “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.” Media engagements were carried out to commemorate the day by APHPN Plateau.
A television programmed aired by NTA Jos on the 25th of April 2022 where Dr Gofung (branch PRO) discussed the theme of the World Malaria day.
Dr. Joy Zoakah represented the association on Highland FM 101.5 on the 28th of April, 2022 where she talked extensively on the theme of the day and sensitized the public on Malaria and COVID-19, attached below.
CONCLUSION
Out of the numerous past International Public Health days celebrated globally since the beginning of this year 2022, the Plateau state branch of APHPN has actively commemorated the World TB, World Health and World Malaria Days. As the year rolls by, many more important days of Public Health concern will be marked by the association as its contribution to improving public health in the state.
