Throughout Asia and the Pacific, families and communities weave mats as part of their culture. The woven mat has traditionally been the setting for many events, from everyday life to milestones. In many ways, mats represent our life course.
Each society has different types and ways of weaving for different purposes. Each person brings their own pandanus – pieces of palm-like trees and shrubs – to contribute to weaving the mat.
Our social fabric is threatened by a complex and rapidly changing world: climate change, political tensions, conflict, food supply chain disruptions, worsening economic conditions, and the speed and spread of misinformation on social media, among others.
These rapid social changes have led to a loss of identity, and alienation from culture and traditions for some groups, making it harder for some communities to cope with issues that drive ill health.
Achieving universal health coverage and getting the Western Pacific Region back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – especially in the areas where the Region has stalled – requires a strategy for working with families and communities: social renewal towards health for all.
A new vision: Weaving Health for All
Weaving the strands together
The work of WHO
WHO priority actions include ensuring that country offices are equipped to facilitate and coordinate vigorous support for policies/programmes to achieve universal health coverage and put the Region on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
WHO teams in the Regional Office must plan as well as respond to country office requests for support with technical capacity, expertise and partners. WHO will also provide effective communications for public health that brings together the power of science and storytelling with a deep understanding of audiences and how to best reach them.
Actions for Member States and other stakeholders
Making the vision a reality
The success of the vision will depend on the mutual accountability of WHO and Member States to drive impact through their work together – with the role of partners helping to improve the quality of WHO support and the impact of collaborative efforts with Member States. These joint responsibilities will be essential to accelerate progress towards achieving the Region’s health priorities and establishing health as a basic human right.
Working together, we can ensure that all people of the Region – whether they live in some of the world’s largest cities or small island developing states – can attain the highest possible level of health and well-being for a brighter and healthier future.
Source: Web WHO
Contact us via: icc@bvyhcttw.vn to register the practical traditional medicine course
