Abstract

Dr. John IbekweMD, MSc. Clinical Tropical Medicine, DTM&H, Dip. STD Augusta, Maine 04330, USA.

Health is generally defined as being "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". This definition is used by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1948. The above definition may not satisfy all the medical opinions but it is an effective working document and since 1948, no better definition has been proffered. The World Health Organization saw health as a fundamental human right - WHO Constitution: "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being..."