World Health Organization was established in 1948. Since 1950, we observe 7th April as World Health Day (WHD) and we have a different theme every year. In the following section, I have listed year wise themes. Each theme is illustrated by one postage stamp. While the stamp does not always match the year, but attempts… Continue reading Lets count 75 years of World health days
Author: rjoshimgims
When sun, air, water and food treated Tuberculosis
Index Home Let’s begin this story in 1906. This is the year of first ever postage stamp on tuberculosis (TB). On 21st December, Netherlands issued a postage stamp. This was a semi-postal Christmas charity, where postal authorities sold 1c, 3c, 5c stamps at double the price. One half went to postage. They gave the other to… Continue reading When sun, air, water and food treated Tuberculosis
Medical books and journals in postal stamps
Index Home Every budding doctor needs to read many books. These medical books are not only an integral part of training, but also a companion for life. Today, in this world of information explosion, books compete with journals. Journals are a collection of periodic updates, newer thoughts, and renewed experiences. With innumerable medical books and about… Continue reading Medical books and journals in postal stamps
Lively Liver and Kind Kidneys
Index Home Liver is single, kidneys are in a pair. Our hollow intestines absorb whatever we eat or drink, and send it to more solid liver to process. It’s cells undergo a flurry of activities. Liver cells create substances, store nutrients, and let-go of things we do not need. Feed makes it busy, and starvation busier… Continue reading Lively Liver and Kind Kidneys
How to hear, and listen for the unsaid
Index Home In 2007, World Health Organization established 3rd March as World Hearing Day. Apparently, we chose the date, as it is written as 3-3, and symbolizes two ears. The day is especially devoted to those who cannot hear so well, and to all others so that we can prevent hearing loss. Interestingly, hearing is the… Continue reading How to hear, and listen for the unsaid
Rare stamps for rare diseases
Index Home All health systems are designed to take care of common ailments. Postage stamps also pick up only those health themes, that are common. To put in numbers, diabetes and hypertension are common. Today, these conditions affect as many as 1 or 2 of every 10 adults respectively. Some other health ailments are even more… Continue reading Rare stamps for rare diseases
Compassion in healthcare and its imagery in postage stamps
Index Home Empathy and compassion are integral to healthcare. Most patients seek care when they have discomfort, infirmity or incapacitation. Compassion is a concern for another person’s discomfort. It is not possible to provide care, without concern. However people have different concern-reactions. For some it is a mere obligation, to listen and to abruptly close the… Continue reading Compassion in healthcare and its imagery in postage stamps
Story behind the first Nobel Prize in Medicine
Index Home The Nobel Prize was instituted in 1901, and the first Nobel in medicine was warded to Von Behring. He shared stage with other luminaries such as Rontgen for Physics, and Henry Dunant for Peace. However, the story behind the first Nobel in Medicine was not without its share of controversies. The award was for… Continue reading Story behind the first Nobel Prize in Medicine
Curies discover a new way to find Cure for Cancers
Index Home Marie Curie was first woman scientist to feature on a postage stamp. This was in 1938, a mere four years after her death. The reason for these postage stamps was to celebrate 40 years of discovery of radium. Marie and Pierre Curie had made this discovery in 1898. In 1938, France issued 21 separate… Continue reading Curies discover a new way to find Cure for Cancers
Bug of the soil to treat Tuberculosis
Index Home Till the end of the second world war, Tuberculosis (TB) had no cure. Bed-rest, sunlight, and some fresh air were standard TB treatments. While some self-healed themselves, most would die after a long wait. Even Penicllin, famous and marvellous first antibiotic, did not make a dent. First useful medicine against TB, was following footsteps… Continue reading Bug of the soil to treat Tuberculosis