Dhaka: The World Health Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere in the globe on Saturday.

The theme of this year’s day is: ‘Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere’.

This is a global health awareness day observed every year on April 7 under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO) marking its birthday.

In 1948, the WHO held the first world health assembly. The assembly decided to celebrate April 7 of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry, Directorate General of Health Services and different non-government organisations have taken elaborate programmes to observe the day.

The day’s programmes will be inaugurated at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 10:30am.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President said the present government is implementing comprehensive development programmes in the health sector. ‘The quality of medical services has increased due to the improvement in health infrastructure, creation and recruitment of skilled manpower, procurement of sophisticated medical equipment, and the use of digital information technology,’ he said.

Abdul Hamid, however, said the rate of various non-communicable diseases, including cancer, kidney stones and diabetes, are on the rise. ‘I think it is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent these diseases,’ he said.

Prime Minister in her message said in order to ensure health services for all in the country, private organisations and institutions will have to come forward alongside the government’s efforts.