Sudan's Minister of Health, Mr Bahar Idris Abu Garda and WHO Representative, Dr Anshu Banerjee, with one of the elderly artists during WHD celebration. 7 April 2012 – On the occasion of World Health Day 2012 in Sudan, WHO launched a year-long campaign on the theme of ageing and health.

The slogan for the campaign is “Good health adds life to years".

The campaign focuses on how good health throughout life can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a resource for their families and communities.

The event gathered together representatives of the international community, donors, the Federal Ministry of Health and other partner organizations to celebrate World Health Day, which takes place every year on 7 April. Campaign activities will involve collaboration with a variety of organizations.

In partnership with the Sudanese Society for the Care of Older People and the Khartoum Ministry of Guidance and Social Development, events were held at residences for the elderly and at social centes. Screening, treatment and referral for medical problems was done and entertainment provided.

the Rashid Diab Art Centre, a workshop was held for artists, most of them elderly, to create works of art showing their vision o the role of the elderly in society. The works of the artists were displayed at a World Health Day reception at Corinthia Hotel in Khartoum.

A number of other national and international organizations, including the Sudanese Red Crescent Society and HelpAge, also held World Health Day events for the elderly.

First place for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region-wide media competition on the World Health Day theme was won by Marwa Ibrahim Eltigani, a Sudanese journalist.

World Health Day 2012