April, 2024
Dear Friends,
April 7th marked World Health Day and seventy-six years since the founding of the World Health Organization. It is also the day each year we recognize HVO community members who have made extraordinary contributions to our mission and to the advancement of global health. This year, we are pleased to honor Drs. Michael Martin, Margaret Nakakeeto, Prakash Neupane, Kelly Smith, Mr. Andrew Babu, and Mr. Hansjörg Wyss with the HVO Golden Apple Award for their commitment, dedication, and remarkable efforts on behalf of our global community. These individuals embody the spirit of HVO and have worked tirelessly sharing their gifts and expertise where they are needed most.
Each year, the WHO chooses a theme for World Health Day, and this year’s theme is “My health, my right.” HVO believes that quality health care is a right – a right that every human on our planet is born with and one we work every day to champion. There is still a lot left to accomplish: the WHO found that in 2021, 4.5 billion people lacked access to essential health services and two billion faced severe financial hardship when paying for care. That is more than half the world’s population denied their right to quality health care. In the face of the magnitude of the problem, I am heartened by how much energy, consideration, and collaboration I see from this year’s group of Golden Apple honorees and from everyone involved in our many programs.
Congratulations to our 2024 honorees and thank you for all that you do for health care rights!
Sincerely,
April
April Pinner, MSPH, RD
Executive Director
