ZAEV Public Health Awareness Program 25-26

Celebrating the World Health Day on 7 April, which each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world on the date that marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, by launching training for the introduction of “Medical Clowns” in the municipality of Strumica. Guided by the fact that the “Medical Clowns” is a program that has proven to be extremely successful in treating patients worldwide, its results should be aimed at helping hospital patients reduce stress, anxiety and the fear of doctors by the children. With the training completed (psychology, social work and care giving), our goal is the future medical clowns, through a different approach to psychosocial support that is most important for patients’ health, to result in distraction in the patient’s attention from difficult therapies to the patients and children who have been in hospital for a long time.

Celebrating World Blood Donor Day on 14 June, to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, by organizing a blood donation campaign in the Institute for Transfusion Medicine -Strumica.

On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons (resolution 45/106). This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly.

In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91). In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.

The number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10% to around 17%.

Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages underscores the significance of promoting health, preventing, and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.

In societies with aging populations, it becomes imperative to adjust to the increasing number of elderly individuals who possess a diverse range of functional capacities. The capability to carry out essential functions and partake in everyday activities is influenced not solely by an individual’s inherent capacity but also by the social and physical environments in which they reside. Supportive environments play a pivotal role in assisting older individuals to maintain their activity levels and independence as they progress in age.

Celebrating World Mental Health Day on 10 October, supported by the World Health Organization, given the pressures imposed by the new way of life. Especially in the young population, the basis for the development of depression is created, because they as a target group are more under the pressure of influence and excessive use of social media, which are not a picture of reality and create conditions for social isolation with a sense of rejection. According to the above, activities will be implemented to prevention against excessive use of social networks, fear of exclusion, fear of missing out, self-aggressive behaviour, social dysfunction, alienation, isolation and loneliness, which should result in increased awareness of the seriousness of this problem.

Celebrating International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on 27 December, declared by the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Organization, because of the need to promote the importance of epidemic preparedness, prevention and partnership. Activities for the protection of the life and health of the citizens will be realized, as a direct contribution to increasing the quality of patient care.