Arab countries celebrate Arab Health Day on 4 September annually, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Arab Health Ministers. The theme of this year's commemoration, "Justice and Sustainability in the Health System in Peace and War," was proposed by the State of Palestine and endorsed by the Council of Arab Health Ministers at its 60th ordinary session, held on 26 May 2024 in Geneva. The celebration of Arab Health Day was first approved by the Council at its 51st ordinary session, convened in February 2019 at the headquarters of the General Secretariat.
The theme for this year underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to essential health services for all segments of society, while working to achieve the sustainability of health systems and strengthen their resilience in times of disaster and war. This requires reinforcing health infrastructure, safeguarding medical personnel, and ensuring the uninterrupted provision of medicines as well as therapeutic and preventive services to all those in need, particularly the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and refugees.
Arab Health Day also serves as an occasion to call on governments, public institutions, civil society, and the private sector to join efforts to promote health equity and guarantee universal access to services without discrimination. The General Secretariat stressed the importance of developing sustainable health systems capable of responding effectively to crises, utilising resources efficiently, planning for epidemics and disasters, supporting and protecting health workers in the discharge of their duties, and investing in preventive health in order to build resilient systems able to deliver services in both peace and conflict.
This year's theme also constitutes a humanitarian appeal, once again urging the international community to support the Palestinian people in securing safe and equitable access to health services in the Gaza Strip, to contribute to the establishment of a Palestinian health system resilient to the challenges it faces, and to safeguard health facilities and medical personnel in accordance with international humanitarian law.
