Every year 29th May is celebrated as the World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) by the World Gastroenterology Organisation(WGO) with the WGO Foundation (WGOF). The First WDHD was celebrated on 29th May 2005.
The theme of the WDHD 2020 is “Gut Microbiome – A Global Perspective”
Background:
i.The foundation of the WGO was created by the assembly of gastroenterologists on 29th May 1958, the last day of the first World Congress of Gastroenterology in Washington.
ii.WGO Secretary General Professor Henry Cohen proposed the initiative to declare May 29th as World Digestive Health Day in 2004 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the creation of WGO.
Purpose of WGO:
The first article of the provisional draft of WGO stated that the purpose of WGO is to contribute to the study and progress in Gastroenterology on a global scale by organizing World Congress of Gastroenterology at regular times.
Objective:
Every year the WDHD focuses on a particular digestive disease and disorders to create public awareness on the prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the diseases.
Gut Microbiome:
i.The gut microbiome is the collective microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi and their genetic materials in the gastrointestinal tract(GIT).
ii.It plays a vital role in control digestion and helps in improving the immune system.
The WGO will assist the public in understanding the gut microbiome’s effects on health.
About WGO:
President– Prof. Naima Amrani
Secretary General– Prof. Geoffrey Metz
Headquarters– Milwaukee, United States of America
About WGOF:
Chair– Guilherme Macedo (President-Elect of WGO)
Vice-Chair– Richard Hunt
Headquarters– Milwaukee, United States of America
