In 1948, as the World Health Organization (WHO) was being inaugurated, member states agreed to establish World Health Day as an annual observance on April 7, starting from 1950, to mark the anniversary of the organization’s founding. Since then, each year has been dedicated to a specific theme, carefully chosen to spotlight a pressing global public health priority and inspire action worldwide.

This year, 2025, the theme for World Health Day is Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Future. The theme marks the start of a yearlong campaign focused on maternal and newborn health, calling on governments and healthcare organizations to intensify efforts to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The campaign will also emphasize the long-term health and well-being of women.

The health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities, helping ensure hopeful futures for us all (WHO 2025).

According to recent and rather alarming reports, nearly 300,000 women die every year from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and over 2 million newborns lose their lives within their first month. Tragically, these deaths—many of which could be prevented—occur roughly every seven seconds, leaving families in deep sorrow.

The crisis is most severe in the world’s poorest nations and in regions affected by conflict. Attacks on health facilities, disrupted services, and blocked access routes create life-threatening barriers for pregnant women and newborns who desperately need care.

Worryingly, 80% of countries are not on track to meet the UN’s targets for reducing maternal mortality by 2030, and one in three countries are lagging behind in lowering newborn death rates. Funding shortages are also slowing down progress, affecting critical health programs and research efforts.

This year’s World Health Day campaign serves as a powerful call to action. It urges governments, donors, and the global health community to invest in proven, life-saving solutions. These include comprehensive pregnancy care for early detection of complications, access to emergency obstetric services, specialized care for preterm and low-birth weight babies, etc.

Beyond immediate interventions, the campaign highlights the urgent need to strengthen health systems to address the root causes of poor maternal and newborn health. It calls for sustained commitment to building a future where every woman and child has the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.

At Prompt Home Health Nigeria, we recognize the critical importance of this global effort. While our focus is on delivering quality home healthcare, we stand in solidarity with the WHO and other organizations working tirelessly to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

We encourage everyone in Nigeria to get involved by spreading awareness using #HopefulFutures and #HealthForAll, participating in local activities, and supporting organizations like the WHO Foundation.
Let us all commit to building a future where every pregnancy is safe, every birth is healthy, and every child has the opportunity to thrive. This World Health Day, let’s invest in hopeful futures for mothers and newborns across Nigeria and the world.

Written by
Ike M. Okoye
MD/CEO Prompt Home Health