Each year on April 7, the world unites to observe World Health Day, commemorating the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. More than a symbolic event, it is a global call to action—an opportunity to spotlight urgent health challenges and accelerate progress toward equitable, quality health for all.
In 2025, the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” places maternal and newborn health at the heart of the global health agenda. With nearly 300,000 women dying annually from pregnancy-related causes, over 2 million newborns lost in their first month, and an equal number stillborn, the urgency is clear: too many lives are being cut short due to preventable causes.
This year’s campaign seeks to catalyze action—calling on governments, health systems, and communities to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths. It emphasizes the need to invest in accessible, high-quality care that addresses not only obstetric complications but also broader issues like mental health, family planning, and noncommunicable diseases that affect women before, during, and after childbirth.
WHO is championing a holistic approach: one that listens to women, supports families, and empowers health workers with the tools and training needed to save lives. Central to this vision is universal health coverage—ensuring that no woman or child is left behind due to geography, income, or circumstance.
As we mark World Health Day 2025, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility: to build a world where every mother survives, every baby thrives, and every community has hope for a healthier future. The path forward demands awareness, investment, and action. But above all, it demands that we put people—especially women and children at the center of health.
Nzubechukwu Eze
