Photo Gallery
Portraits of Public Health
Did you know that life expectancy — for both men and women — has shot up by 23 years since 1950, extending billions of people’s lives by an average of 45%? April 7 is World Health Day, a day to celebrate the immense strides humanity has taken in improving health outcomes. But it’s also a day to recognize the diseases, pollution, hunger and other roadblocks standing in the way of a healthier world.
When it comes to maintaining our personal health, there’s much we can do ourselves — eat healthy, exercise, schedule regular doctor visits and care for our mental health. But much is outside of our control, which is why good policy and health care infrastructure are so important.
While at least 140 countries enshrine health as a constitutional human right, many still fail to put their laws into practice, leaving more than half of the world’s population without full health coverage, according to the World Health Organization.
Global Press Journal’s reporters sought out the people in their neighborhoods who are working behind the scenes to keep us healthy. From nurses to social workers, from sanitation staff to activists, these are the people making the world a healthier place.
Sumayiyah Najjuma, Wakiso, Uganda
Nurse at Hawa Secondary School
“Eleven years ago, when I came, I found students here would drink water directly from the tap. I took them through the process — I would boil it and put it in small cans for whoever wanted, and then they dropped the practice of drinking unboiled water. Students no longer go home to get treated for typhoid. Now, there is no reason to miss school, and this has improved the grades of the school.”
Nurse at Hawa Secondary School
“Eleven years ago, when I came, I found students here would drink water directly from the tap. I took them through the process — I would boil it and put it in small cans for whoever wanted, and then they dropped the practice of drinking unboiled water. Students no longer go home to get treated for typhoid. Now, there is no reason to miss school, and this has improved the grades of the school.”
Frederick Cortés, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Social worker for El Gancho, a program of Intercambios Puerto Rico, a nongovernmental organization
"By working with the most vulnerable people in the community, we create an impact on the community at large. We are also Narcan trained on how to reverse an overdose. That’s very important for neighbors, family, friends to know because it is very unlikely that a person who is experiencing an overdose would self-administer the drug. The more we flood the community with this knowledge, we have the opportunity to save lives and for people to change their perception of how to approach this situation."
Social worker for El Gancho, a program of Intercambios Puerto Rico, a nongovernmental organization
"By working with the most vulnerable people in the community, we create an impact on the community at large. We are also Narcan trained on how to reverse an overdose. That’s very important for neighbors, family, friends to know because it is very unlikely that a person who is experiencing an overdose would self-administer the drug. The more we flood the community with this knowledge, we have the opportunity to save lives and for people to change their perception of how to approach this situation."
Dr. Otgonjargal Davgasamba, Dalanzadgad, Umnugovi province, Mongolia
Clinical professor and director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Umnugovi province’s Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center
“I have been working as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology for 21 years. I successfully implemented the national reproductive health program for health promotion, providing information, training and promotion about the improvement of maternal and infant examinations, reproductive and women’s health, as well as providing many screenings and services on contraceptive methods for women working in the Gobi region and at border outposts."
Clinical professor and director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Umnugovi province’s Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center
“I have been working as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology for 21 years. I successfully implemented the national reproductive health program for health promotion, providing information, training and promotion about the improvement of maternal and infant examinations, reproductive and women’s health, as well as providing many screenings and services on contraceptive methods for women working in the Gobi region and at border outposts."
Beatriz Resnik, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Institutional relations coordinator at Fundación Garrahan
"The hospital noticed that many patients were abandoning their treatments because it was difficult to come to Buenos Aires due to the cost of traveling and accommodations. What changed thanks to Casa Garrahan is that people now have a place to be other than the hospital. The children who are here, they play. But when they are in the hospital, they are in a bed. I think it helps public health a lot — first, because it gives patients a dignified place where they have all the care they need. It’s a home away from home.”
Institutional relations coordinator at Fundación Garrahan
"The hospital noticed that many patients were abandoning their treatments because it was difficult to come to Buenos Aires due to the cost of traveling and accommodations. What changed thanks to Casa Garrahan is that people now have a place to be other than the hospital. The children who are here, they play. But when they are in the hospital, they are in a bed. I think it helps public health a lot — first, because it gives patients a dignified place where they have all the care they need. It’s a home away from home.”
Katiresu Dinesh, Chunnagam, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Sanitation worker
“I have been working as a temporary sanitation worker for the past four years. I feel happy that I contribute to public health by keeping the surroundings clean. But we also need public participation for that. In the beginning, people used to dump garbage and market waste wherever. But now that situation has changed, and they are putting it in the designated places for dumping garbage."
Sanitation worker
“I have been working as a temporary sanitation worker for the past four years. I feel happy that I contribute to public health by keeping the surroundings clean. But we also need public participation for that. In the beginning, people used to dump garbage and market waste wherever. But now that situation has changed, and they are putting it in the designated places for dumping garbage."
Salvador Meza Ortiz, Puebla, Mexico
Activist for the human rights of people with HIV and AIDS, director of VIHDA, a nongovernmental organization
"For 18 years, I have been fighting for the health rights of people with HIV/AIDS, helping to empower them and their families, partners and friends. I fight for the rights of people with HIV and AIDS, providing support to manage medications, promoting timely care in the health system and accompanying newly diagnosed carriers in their loss or anticipated mourning.”
Activist for the human rights of people with HIV and AIDS, director of VIHDA, a nongovernmental organization
"For 18 years, I have been fighting for the health rights of people with HIV/AIDS, helping to empower them and their families, partners and friends. I fight for the rights of people with HIV and AIDS, providing support to manage medications, promoting timely care in the health system and accompanying newly diagnosed carriers in their loss or anticipated mourning.”
Dr. Lochana Shrestha, Kathmandu, Bagmati province, Nepal
Geriatric specialist and director of the Planning and Research Department at the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences
“I have been working to raise public health awareness, develop policies and plans, and advocate with the government for their implementation. Nepal’s population is diverse. People who are financially affluent have both awareness and money. Some middle-class people have money, while others have awareness. However, those who are economically poor lack both money and awareness. I collaborate with the government to conduct public awareness programs.”
Geriatric specialist and director of the Planning and Research Department at the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences
“I have been working to raise public health awareness, develop policies and plans, and advocate with the government for their implementation. Nepal’s population is diverse. People who are financially affluent have both awareness and money. Some middle-class people have money, while others have awareness. However, those who are economically poor lack both money and awareness. I collaborate with the government to conduct public awareness programs.”
Dr. Benjamin Kombi Vitara, Kirumba, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Physician
“During the Ebola outbreak, I personally used various means, such as the media, to raise awareness about protective measures. We had broadcasts in the media about the necessary hygiene measures, and we taught by example in our health trainings. Of course, there was a certain amount of resistance because of our culture, but in the end, people understood the importance of hygiene, even though some of them were neglecting it. So, we insisted on prevention.”
Physician
“During the Ebola outbreak, I personally used various means, such as the media, to raise awareness about protective measures. We had broadcasts in the media about the necessary hygiene measures, and we taught by example in our health trainings. Of course, there was a certain amount of resistance because of our culture, but in the end, people understood the importance of hygiene, even though some of them were neglecting it. So, we insisted on prevention.”
Dr. Nawaraj KC, Surkhet, Karnali province, Nepal
Pediatrician at the Nepal Baal Polyclinic and works at Wings Foundation and Karnali Care Hospital
“Since I came to Karnali after studying medicine, I conducted about 100 camps for women and children, from which about 25,000 children and 45,000 women have received free treatment in remote areas. Inspired by our collective works and health advice, the government allocates a budget for improving children’s and women’s health with better plans. We have been bringing patients who cannot be treated in the camps to well-equipped hospitals and provide surgery and treatment.”
Pediatrician at the Nepal Baal Polyclinic and works at Wings Foundation and Karnali Care Hospital
“Since I came to Karnali after studying medicine, I conducted about 100 camps for women and children, from which about 25,000 children and 45,000 women have received free treatment in remote areas. Inspired by our collective works and health advice, the government allocates a budget for improving children’s and women’s health with better plans. We have been bringing patients who cannot be treated in the camps to well-equipped hospitals and provide surgery and treatment.”
Diana Esperanza Betancur Toro, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Menstruation psychoeducator, psychology doctoral student and founder of Lluvia Roja
"We go wherever we are asked. When we arrive, we begin by listening, to understand the positions they have regarding their body, how they understand it and how they relate to their ovum-menstrual cycle. The process begins with demystification and then understanding certain processes to allow them to see themselves in a variety of lights, different ways of feeling, thinking and managing their menstruation. This is part of what we do at Lluvia Roja: socialize, share and co-create information with people so that they transform violent narratives about menstruation and take a biopsychosocial approach to their menstrual health.”
Menstruation psychoeducator, psychology doctoral student and founder of Lluvia Roja
"We go wherever we are asked. When we arrive, we begin by listening, to understand the positions they have regarding their body, how they understand it and how they relate to their ovum-menstrual cycle. The process begins with demystification and then understanding certain processes to allow them to see themselves in a variety of lights, different ways of feeling, thinking and managing their menstruation. This is part of what we do at Lluvia Roja: socialize, share and co-create information with people so that they transform violent narratives about menstruation and take a biopsychosocial approach to their menstrual health.”
Antan Reynol, Mannar, Sri Lanka
Pradeshiya Sabha Park employee
“Public health is about physical health, mental health and social health. In that way, I help the people who come to the park for recreation by maintaining and beautifying the park. I convert biodegradable garbage into compost. It can also be sold and monetized. I collect non-biodegradable garbage like solid waste in a bin. We have a machine that breaks down solid waste into particles and adds it to the soil.”
Pradeshiya Sabha Park employee
“Public health is about physical health, mental health and social health. In that way, I help the people who come to the park for recreation by maintaining and beautifying the park. I convert biodegradable garbage into compost. It can also be sold and monetized. I collect non-biodegradable garbage like solid waste in a bin. We have a machine that breaks down solid waste into particles and adds it to the soil.”
Fidel Barragán Gómez, Chilpancingo de los Bravo, Guerrero, Mexico
Nurse
"The health center is the first contact with the patient because we work on prevention here. Sometimes patients also come because they feel lonely or sad. They bring emotional problems, and we as nurses are also priests, teachers and psychologists. We always try to support them and treat them in the best way. Personally, I try to be very happy, very pleased to treat my patients. I give them a smile so the patient has trust and can explain their ailments to me."
Nurse
"The health center is the first contact with the patient because we work on prevention here. Sometimes patients also come because they feel lonely or sad. They bring emotional problems, and we as nurses are also priests, teachers and psychologists. We always try to support them and treat them in the best way. Personally, I try to be very happy, very pleased to treat my patients. I give them a smile so the patient has trust and can explain their ailments to me."
Susan Topa, Harare, Zimbabwe
Caregiver and physiotherapist
“I help people who are not well and orphans when there is need. I offer my services for free, but if there is a patient who can pay, it is a plus for me. I just chip in and use the skills that I have. It has become a passion. People in my community now know my profession, and if there is someone who needs help, they call me. There has been an improvement in responsiveness to outbreaks like cholera, polio, etc. There has also been massive sensitization of diseases like cancer, and it’s a plus for me. What needs improvement are follow-ups after a person is given treatment when they are sick. In the past, if someone had tuberculosis, for instance, nurses from local clinics would follow up on those patients to see how they are coping.”
Caregiver and physiotherapist
“I help people who are not well and orphans when there is need. I offer my services for free, but if there is a patient who can pay, it is a plus for me. I just chip in and use the skills that I have. It has become a passion. People in my community now know my profession, and if there is someone who needs help, they call me. There has been an improvement in responsiveness to outbreaks like cholera, polio, etc. There has also been massive sensitization of diseases like cancer, and it’s a plus for me. What needs improvement are follow-ups after a person is given treatment when they are sick. In the past, if someone had tuberculosis, for instance, nurses from local clinics would follow up on those patients to see how they are coping.”
Dr. Rafael Cruz Tirado, Utuado, Puerto Rico
Pediatrician, missionary and community doctor
“When we go to isolated communities, we reach places where sometimes the roads are in such bad shape that people can't even leave their homes. Sometimes they don't have water or electricity. We go to places with great needs to help with services, with medicine. Those people need to talk. Sometimes we are the first person they have communicated with in a long time. It's not just serving them; it's also listening to them. This goes beyond working on their physical health. Emotional health and physical health go hand in hand. You help them in a comprehensive way.”
Pediatrician, missionary and community doctor
“When we go to isolated communities, we reach places where sometimes the roads are in such bad shape that people can't even leave their homes. Sometimes they don't have water or electricity. We go to places with great needs to help with services, with medicine. Those people need to talk. Sometimes we are the first person they have communicated with in a long time. It's not just serving them; it's also listening to them. This goes beyond working on their physical health. Emotional health and physical health go hand in hand. You help them in a comprehensive way.”
Dr. Patricia Fenton, Oaxaca, Mexico
Medical genetics specialist
“When I arrived in Oaxaca, I started working at the Hospital General Dr. Aurelio Valdivieso. At that time, public hospitals had no genetic medicine care, so I was the first doctor treating patients with genetic disorders in the state of Oaxaca, and when we started working, we opened the first cytogenetic laboratory to perform cytogenetic analysis for those particular patients.”
Medical genetics specialist
“When I arrived in Oaxaca, I started working at the Hospital General Dr. Aurelio Valdivieso. At that time, public hospitals had no genetic medicine care, so I was the first doctor treating patients with genetic disorders in the state of Oaxaca, and when we started working, we opened the first cytogenetic laboratory to perform cytogenetic analysis for those particular patients.”
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