The World Health Organization (WHO) states that every year on April 7, the World Health Day is observed to draw attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.

History of World Health Day

This day was first proposed to be celebrated at the First Health Assembly in 1948, and ever since, from 1950, it has been observed. It marks the founding anniversary of the WHO, which a global platform that works on urgent health issues as well as promoting awareness. The WHO also addresses critical health concerns across the world and remains free from political influences. It also uses this day to draw international attention on health priorities.

The WHO notes that when diplomats met to form the United Nations in 1945, one of the things they discussed was setting up a global health organization, this is how WHO's Constitution came into being from April 7, 1948. This is the date that we now celebrate every year as World Health Day.

Theme Of World Health Day

Each year, the WHO announces a specific theme for the World Health Day. This is to spotlight a key area of concern in the health sector. This year, the theme for 2025 is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures".

The WHO on its official X handle posted a collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the authorities of Hera to deliver an Integrated Health Program observing this year's theme:

This year's campaign and the theme focus on collaborating with governments and health bodies to invest in impactful initiatives that can reduce preventable deaths. It also aims to improve long-term well-being of mothers and newborn.

The focus points of the theme are:

Helping every woman and baby survive and thrive: The WHO mentions that based on currently published estimates, close to 300,000 women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year. Whereas 2 billion babies die in their first month of life and 2 million are stillborn. This means roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds.

Listening to women and supporting families: WHO mentions that women and families everywhere need high quality care that supports them physically and emotionally, before, during and after birth. Health systems thus must evolve to manage the health issues that impact maternal and newborn health.

"The health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities, helping ensure hopeful futures for us all," notes WHO.

Significance Of World Health Day

For the last five decades, the World Health Day, which celebrates the founding day of WHO has played an important role in highlighting key health issues. It has focused on various health issues including mental health and well-being, maternal and child health, and the growing impact of climate change on global health.

The campaign also facilitates conversations and discourse around health, which can then promote awareness among people. This day therefore serves as a reminder to unite global efforts and direct attention towards building a healthier and safer communities around the world.

The England National Health Service (NHS) is the world's first healthcare system to offer a revolutionary blood cancer treatment called a "Trojan horse" drug. The trailblazing treatment, officially known as belantamab mafodotin, has the potential to add years to the lives of thousands of patients fighting multiple myeloma, a vicious and currently untreatable form of bone marrow cancer.

This innovation, now being rolled out to eligible patients throughout England, highlights the revolutionary promise of precision medicine and targeted treatments to change cancer care.

How Does This Therapy Work?

At the center of this medical innovation is belantamab mafodotin, also known as Blenrep and produced by GlaxoSmithKline. In contrast to traditional chemotherapy that gets into both healthy and cancer cells, this new medication uses a targeted approach: it binds to myeloma cells, enters them quietly, and delivers a fatal dose of chemotherapy directly within, effectively killing the malignancy from the inside out.

This "Trojan horse" metaphor comes from Greek mythology, as Greek warriors entered the city of Troy disguised within a wooden horse. In the same way, this drug corrupts cancer cells by smuggling a toxic payload into them disguised as an antibody—spared most healthy tissues in the process.

NHS England National Clinical Director for Cancer Professor Peter Johnson called the treatment "life-changing" and said, "Myeloma is an aggressive blood cancer, but the advent of belantamab mafodotin brings with it a new hope of highly extended disease control.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cancer that arises in plasma cells present in the bone marrow. Although there are continued advances in medicine, the disease is still incurable and relapsing in nature. The majority of patients have a pattern of recurrence after remission, requiring multiple treatment lines.

Trials of belantamab mafodotin, particularly in combination with other drugs such as bortezomib and dexamethasone, have shown that the treatment can stop disease from progressing for a period of three years—three years longer than the 13-month postponement achieved with the drug of choice at present, daratumumab.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), having checked the effectiveness and value for money, accelerated approval for the rollout of the treatment. NICE director Helen Knight stated, "This recommendation shows our determination to get patients the best treatment quickly while protecting value for the taxpayer."

Who Will Benefit?

The NHS rollout will first address about 1,500 patients per year in England that have relapsed or are resistant to their existing treatments. These are often those with advanced myeloma who have run out of other standard treatments.

Significantly, this represents a move toward personalized, next-generation treatments being accessible through public healthcare facilities—an accomplishment welcomed by health activists and oncologists alike.

Shelagh McKinlay, Myeloma UK's Director of Research and Advocacy, hailed the announcement: "We have campaigned aggressively for the last year to get this drug approved. It will change the lives of thousands of myeloma patients."

Paul Silvester, who is 60 and from Sheffield, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023. When ordinary treatment and even a bone marrow transplant did not halt the disease, he was put on an early-access trial for belantamab mafodotin at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

The change was almost instant," he explained. "In the first two or three weeks following the first dose, I was in remission. I like to think this treatment has brought the party balloons into the house."

Paul is now in remission and mapping out history-themed travel excursions—something he never thought he'd ever be able to do a few months ago.

How Does Belantamab Mafodotin Work?

Belantamab mafodotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), a new class of cancer drugs. The drug's antibody component targets a protein (BCMA) on the outside of myeloma cells. After binding to the cancer cell, the complex is taken into the cell where it drops off a potent chemotherapy drug, essentially killing it from within.

This internal targeting results in much less collateral damage to normal cells—a major problem with standard chemotherapy—and decreases the overall treatment burden.

Side Effects and Safety Issues

Although thought to be less toxic than many standard therapies, belantamab mafodotin is not without adverse effects. Patients can have dry eyes, blurred vision, and occasionally more severe ocular toxicity due to the mechanism of action of the drug leaking into surrounding tissues after cell kill.

Clinical teams are trained to monitor and manage these effects, often adjusting dosage or incorporating supportive therapies to preserve patient safety.

Health Minister Karin Smyth emphasized the significance of this development: “This groundbreaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation. By harnessing cutting-edge ‘Trojan horse’ technology, we’re offering new hope to blood cancer patients across the country.”

In fact, the move by the NHS to be the first healthcare system in the world to introduce this treatment establishes a precedent for the incorporation of high-cost, high-impact biologic therapies into national care.

With its effective implementation in England, belantamab mafodotin could soon be used as a worldwide standard of care for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. As other nations observe outcomes and cost-effectiveness trends, it is possible that health systems globally will look into implementing this Trojan horse technique.

Researchers in oncology are also looking at similar antibody-drug conjugates for other types of cancer, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancers—implying that we are just beginning to see what this technology has to give.

Dr. David Geier, a controversial orthopedic surgeon and known vaccine skeptic, is attempting to revisit long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Recently hired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Geier is now reviewing historical safety data to investigate whether government agencies concealed crucial information.

Accessing CDC's Vaccine Safety Database

Geier is reportedly seeking access to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a repository of vaccine safety records from millions of patients. The VSD is maintained by a dozen major healthcare systems, each controlling its own data. Full access has always been tightly controlled due to privacy and misuse concerns.

Geier previously accessed the database in 2004 and 2006. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, CDC officials revoked his access both times, alleging he had misrepresented his research intentions.

Despite this, Geier is once again pushing to analyze the data. It remains unclear if access has been granted. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that the department intends to take a “fresh look at all data including old data,” and emphasized that they would “follow the science—wherever it leads.”

Scientific Community Raises Concerns

The scientific and public health communities have expressed concern over Geier's involvement. “He has no record in the scientific community of doing valid work,” said Dr. Walter Orenstein, former director of the CDC’s immunization program.

Geier and his late father, geneticist Mark Geier, have long promoted the theory that vaccines cause autism—an idea widely discredited by the medical community. The pair also introduced a controversial treatment using hormone-blocking drugs, which resulted in the revocation of Mark Geier’s medical license and disciplinary actions against David Geier for practicing medicine without a license.

At a 2015 conference, Geier defended his position, claiming the scientific community dismisses their findings without proper consideration. “They think that [the vaccine's link to autism has] been completely debunked,” he said at the time.

Kennedy's Role and the Larger Context

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccine mandates, has clarified that Geier will not lead autism research. Instead, his focus will be on identifying any possibly overlooked or hidden data within the CDC’s database.

“There has been a lot of monkey business with the VSD,” Kennedy stated in a previous congressional appearance.

Kennedy, who once authored a now-retracted Rolling Stone article alleging a vaccine-autism cover-up, cited a 2000 CDC conference that explored preliminary data on thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative once used in vaccines. Though early findings prompted questions, later analysis confirmed no link between thimerosal and autism. Thimerosal was removed from most vaccines in 2001, and final results were published in 2003.

Exploring Autism Causes and Rising Rates

While Geier conducts his review, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is separately examining rising autism rates. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. were diagnosed with autism in 2022. Experts attribute the increase to a combination of better diagnostic methods, genetic factors, and increased awareness.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also plans to fund research into other possible causes, such as environmental toxins and diet. Meanwhile, Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit formerly led by Kennedy, is hosting an online event this week centered on what it calls the “autism cover-up.”

India is again facing a concerning but seemingly controlled increase in Covid-19 cases. As of June 13, 2025, the active case count of the country is 7,131, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Although new daily cases increased by 33 and three more deaths were added—two in Maharashtra and one in Madhya Pradesh—the overall trend indicates a potential plateau and even a slight dip, which gives optimistic hopes.

The most recent state-by-state Covid-19 dashboard published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare indicates remarkable regional variations in infection incidence in India. Kerala remains to have the highest burden, with 2,055 active cases, out of which 110 were new cases in one day. Gujarat is the second worst-affected state with 1,358 active cases, which saw a steep daily jump of 77 cases. Other majorly affected states are West Bengal, with 747 active cases; Delhi, with 714 cases; and Maharashtra, with 629 active infections. The Karnataka region showed a significant increase with 72 new cases, taking its active caseload to 395. On the other hand, there are no active Covid-19 cases in certain states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Manipur, hinting at effective containment measures. In spite of these diverse regional numbers, the overall national trend seems positively tentative. There were 1,420 new recoveries logged, elevating the total number of recovered or migrated persons to 10,976 for the year, which highlights India's resilience in its continuous Covid-19 response.

The increase is credited mainly to new Omicron sub-variants, such as JN.1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1, and XFG, which are highly contagious but produce milder symptoms than previous strains. These variants are now listed as "Variants Under Monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO). While not yet classified as variants of concern, they necessitate heightened vigilance, particularly among high-risk groups.

Experts advise against attributing these numbers to the onset of a full-blown wave. Rather, they refer to a seasonal surge, similar to the flu, which is consonant with the virus's post-pandemic shift towards an endemic pattern.

Why Are Booster Shots Not Recommended?

In light of India's high hybrid immunity from both vaccinations and past infections, health authorities as of now not recommending mass booster drives. Rather, targeted vaccination is being encouraged for:

• The elderly
• Immunocompromised hosts
• People with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease

The Indian Medical Association and health professionals emphasize that this risk-based, strategic strategy is more effective protection than mass immunization campaigns.

Even with the recent upsurge, health workers urge not panicking but remaining proactive. Distinguishing between Covid-19 and other common seasonal viral infections—often producing the same symptoms as fever, fatigue, and cough—is now of paramount importance.

Physicians and public health specialist, point out that exhaustion from sustained lookout can precipitate complacency. We can't ignore Covid-19 as a historical moment. It's very much still around—but controlled with the appropriate preventive measures.

Actionable Tips To Prevent COVID Infection

Nowadays, personal responsibility and daily routine are still your best protection. Here's how to protect yourself:

1. Wear a Mask in Crowded Indoor Spaces

Though mandates may have disappeared, masks are effective, especially in poorly ventilated spaces indoors, on public transportation, and in medical offices.

2. Get Current with Targeted Vaccines

If you are in a high-risk group, speak with your health care provider about boosters that are available or trials soon to be under way for new variant-specific vaccines.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Prioritize a balanced diet, proper sleep, and regular physical activity in order to maintain your immune system strong against not only Covid-19 but also other flu and seasonal diseases.

4. Practice Hygiene

Good hygiene habits such as regular handwashing, the use of sanitizers, and not touching your face while in public can significantly minimize the risk of transmission.

5. Stay Away from Crowds

If you are symptomatic—or have someone living with you who is—skip gatherings and go remote work whenever possible.

6. Identify Symptoms Early

Notice signs such as fever, chronic cough, body pain, fatigue, and taste/smell loss. Test early and self-isolate to avoid transmission.

7. Seek Medical Help

Particularly if above 60 years or with underlying conditions, don't wait even for minor symptoms. Early treatment can be life-saving.

The India Covid-19 situation is serious but under control. Yes, the active cases are more than 7,100, but the recovery rates are robust, and the fatalities are few and limited to the vulnerable groups.

Instead of fear, this time it requires a recommitment to public health practices—from mask-wearing when necessary to symptom-watching and protecting the vulnerable.

Key Figures at a Glance (as of June 13, 2025)

Total Active Cases: 7,131

New Cases in 24 Hours: 33

Total Deaths (2025): 78

Top States by Active Cases: Kerala (2055), Gujarat (1358), West Bengal (747), Delhi (714), Maharashtra (629)

Recovered in 2025: 10,976 and rising

Death IN Last 24 Hours: 1 (Kerala)