India on World Health Day 1976
A commemorative postage stamp on the World Health Day : Prevention of Blindness :
Issued by India
Issued on Apr 7, 1976
Issued for : The Posts and Telegraphs Department deems it a privilege to associate itself with the observance of the World Health Day by issuing a special postage stamp.
Description of Design : The stamp which is designed by Shri Benoy Sarkar based on the theme of the World Health Day ‘Foresight Prevents Blindness’.
Designed by : Shri Benoy Sarkar
Type : Stamp, Postal Used
Colour : Dark brown & scarlet
Denomination : 25 Paise
Overall Size : 3.91 X 2.90 cms.
Printing Size : 3.56 X 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Watermark : Unwatermarked paper
Number Printed : 30,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing process : Photogravure
Printed at : India Security Press
About :
- The World Health Day is observed on April 7 every year throughout the world. It marks the anniversary of the coming into being of the Constitution of the World Health Organisation in 1948. The theme chosen for the observance of the Day in 1976 is ‘Foresight Prevents Blindness‘, which lays emphasis on the importance of preventive measures against blindness.
- The problem of curable and incurable blindness has been posing a serious public health, social and economic problem in India. It is estimated that there are 45 million people in the country suffering from visual defects of one type or another. There are about 9 million blind persons including about 5 million who can be cured by proper surgical treatment. It is estimated that 2,50,000 children have lost their sight mostly due to nutritional deficiencies, injuries and squints.
- Seized with this, the Central Council of Health has recommended the adoption of a national plan of action for the prevention of blindness in the country. The strategy recommended by the Council include:
- Wide dissemination of information about eye-care with particular emphasis on pre-school and school going children and other vulnerable groups.
- Orientation of teachers, social workers and community leaders on problems of eye-health care including nutrition.
- Augmentation of Ophthalmic Services in such a way that relief can be given to the community in the shortest possible time and the simultaneous establishment of a permanent infrastructure for the community oriented eye-health care.
- The comprehensive plan of action lays emphasis on a three-tier system : covering rural areas through Primary Health Centres and Mobile Ophthalmic Units, Taluk and District hospitals becoming first Referral Centres and establishment of centres for specialised eye-care.
- The theme of the World Health Day ‘Foresight Prevents Blindness’ is the manifestation of ophthalmic and spiritual knowledge. It indicates that we stand to lead individuals from darkness to light.
- To teacher and researcher the theme implies acquisition of more knowledge through real effort in search of truth.
- To the student the theme emphasises the removal of inner darkness of thought and action by acquiring new knowledge and a step forward in the common effort in search of truth.
- To the ophthalmic surgeon and physician the theme is an exhortation to restore vision wherever it is lost and prevent loss of sight in others to lead those under their care from darkness to light.
[…] the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department for the issue of the stamp as this day happens to be the World Health Day. The design carries in the upper part the Globe as a symbol of worldwide co-operation. The lower […]