World Health Day 2025 : The Importance Of ‘Healthy Beginnings’ For ‘Hopeful Futures’

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The Silent Grief

Aditi sat quietly in the living room, her hands resting in her lap. She traced the lines on her palms, feeling the weight of the two stillborn children she had held in those hands. The memory of their small, fragile bodies was etched into her heart. How she had longed for them to breathe, to cry, to be with her. But instead, she had been left with emptiness.

A tear slid down her cheek as she whispered, "I don't know if I can do this again, Arjun. What if... what if I lose another child? What if I have to face that pain again?"

Arjun entered the room, with concern in his eyes. He knelt beside her, gently taking her hands in his. "Aditi, I know how much it hurts. Losing them... I felt it too. But we can't let that fear control us. We can't let it stop us from trying again."

She looked at him, her heart heavy with doubt. "But what if it happens again? What if I hold another baby in my arms and they're gone? I don't think I can bear that, Arjun. I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Arjun squeezed her hands, his voice soft but firm. "You are strong, Aditi. And this time, we'll do everything differently. We'll take extra care. We'll go to the city, to a hospital that specializes in maternal care. We'll make sure everything is monitored, and we'll be prepared for any complications."

Aditi's eyes filled with tears. "But what if I still lose them?"

Arjun brushed a tear from her cheek. "I know you're scared, and I'm scared too. But we'll face this together. We'll do everything we can to give you and our baby the best chance. This time, we won't take any chances. We're in this together."

Aditi looked at him, her heart torn between fear and hope. Slowly, she nodded. "Okay... I'll try. For us. For the baby."

A 'Healthy' Beginning

The journey to the city felt different. There was a sense of hope in the air, mixed with the nerves of starting anew. The city hospital was known for its advanced care, and Aditi clung to that hope as they arrived. Dr. Mehra, the obstetrician, greeted them warmly.

"Aditi, I know what you've been through," Dr. Mehra said, her voice compassionate. "But we're going to do everything in our power to ensure this pregnancy is healthy. You're not alone in this."

Aditi's heart raced, but she felt comforted by Dr. Mehra's calm presence. "I'm still scared," she admitted. "After everything... I don't know how I can be sure."

Dr. Mehra smiled gently. "Fear is natural, but knowledge and care are our best tools. We'll monitor you closely and be prepared for anything. We'll make sure you're as informed and as supported as possible."

Arjun placed his hand on Aditi's shoulder, his voice steady. "We're going to be okay, Aditi. I promise you, we'll get through this."

Aditi took a deep breath, feeling the first flicker of hope. "Okay. I trust you."

The Road Ahead

As the months passed, Aditi followed Dr. Mehra's advice carefully, attending all her check-ups, eating right, and getting plenty of rest. Arjun was always there by her side, reminding her to take it easy and follow the doctor's instructions.

"How are you feeling today?" Arjun asked, looking over at her as they ate dinner one evening.

"I'm okay," Aditi replied softly, rubbing her growing belly. "A little tired, but okay."

"You're doing great," Arjun said, his voice full of encouragement. "We're taking things slow, just like we planned. We're doing this the right way."

But even with all the care, Aditi's fear didn't go away completely. Every ache, every twinge, made her nervous. She couldn't help but wonder if something would go wrong, just like last time.

The Turning Point

One evening, Aditi woke up suddenly, gripped by sharp pain. She gasped, clutching her stomach. The familiar wave of panic swept over her, and her heart pounded in her chest.

"Arjun..." she whispered, her voice shaky.

Arjun woke immediately, his face filled with concern. "Aditi? What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she gasped. "It hurts so much..."

Without hesitation, Arjun jumped out of bed. "We're going to the hospital. Right now."

They rushed to the hospital, where Dr. Mehra immediately took Aditi in for a check-up. After a quick ultrasound, Dr. Mehra smiled.

"Aditi, everything looks fine," she said, her voice reassuring. "The baby is moving around a lot. It's normal to feel some discomfort."

Aditi let out a deep sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. "I was so scared," she said quietly, her voice trembling.

"I know, dear," Arjun said, holding her hand tightly. "But you're okay. Our baby's okay."

Full Term, Full Heart

The months passed, and Aditi's pregnancy continued without complications. Although the fear never fully disappeared, she felt more confident with each passing day. She was growing stronger, both physically and emotionally.

Finally, after a long labor, Aditi held her healthy baby boy in her arms. Tears of joy flowed as she gazed down at him.

"We did it," Arjun whispered, his voice full of pride. "You did it."

Aditi looked at their son, her heart swelling with love. "We really did."

A Mother's Action

Months after their son's birth, Aditi felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and responsibility. The care they had received in the city hospital had been nothing short of life-saving, but she knew that many women in her small town weren't as fortunate. The memories of her own painful journey, the fear, and the uncertainty, made her want to ensure no other woman would experience the same.

One evening, as they sat together in their living room, Aditi turned to Arjun. "I can't help but think about all the women in our town who don't have access to the kind of care we had. They don't have the resources, the support..."

Arjun looked at her, concern furrowing his brow. "What are you thinking, Aditi?"

"I need to do something. I want to make sure no one else has to go through what I did - feeling helpless, afraid, and alone," she said, her voice steady with determination. "I want to help improve the maternal healthcare in our town. We need better facilities, more education, and access to medical professionals who can guide women through their pregnancies."

Arjun nodded, squeezing her hand. "You're right. But how do we even start?"

"I've been talking to a few of the women here," Aditi said. "Some of my friends, some of the other mothers in the community. They're all on board. Together, we want to bring in more resources, make sure women know what's available, and get the right education out there. We could even partner with the doctors from the city to come visit the town and offer check-ups, guidance, and support."

Aditi's eyes were filled with hope as she continued. "This isn't just about us, Arjun. It's about all the women who could have a safer, healthier pregnancy if only they had the right care."

Arjun smiled, pride shining in his eyes. "I'm with you, Aditi. We'll do this together."

And so, with a group of close friends and acquaintances, Aditi worked tirelessly to bring awareness to maternal health issues. They organized health workshops, coordinated visits from city doctors, and raised funds for better healthcare facilities. Slowly, the small town began to change.

Aditi's efforts paid off when the local clinic expanded its services and began offering prenatal education, as well as regular check-ups from specialists. She knew that there was still a long way to go, but seeing the first steps toward change was enough to fill her with purpose and pride.

One evening, as Aditi and Arjun stood together, looking out over their town, she smiled. "This is just the beginning, Arjun. We've done something good here. We've made a difference."

Arjun wrapped his arm around her. "You've made a difference, Aditi. And I'm so proud of you."

As we observe World Health Day 2025, we acknowledge both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in advancing maternal and infant health. While significant strides have been taken to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, there is still much work to be done. Continued dedication and investment are essential to ensure that every woman has access to the care she needs before, during, and after childbirth.

This year, as we reflect on the achievements since the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, we must also address the gaps that remain. Maternal and newborn deaths are preventable, yet millions of lives are still at risk, particularly in underserved regions where access to healthcare, education, and resources is limited. WHO's call to strengthen global efforts in maternal and infant care highlights the need for collective responsibility. Governments, healthcare systems, and individuals must work together to eliminate these preventable tragedies.

On this World Health Day, let us renew our commitment to building a healthier world for all. By supporting healthy pregnancies, ensuring safe childbirth, and promoting better postnatal care, we can create a future where every child gets the best possible care from the moment they're born and every mother is supported in her journey. Our collective commitment to these goals will not only improve individual lives but will also strengthen the foundation of our global community, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.