EduAsiaNews, Surabaya — World Health Day (WHD) is observed annually on April 7. The commemoration, which marks the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO), carries the theme “Together for Health. Standing Together with Science.”
According to the Rector of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa), Nurhasan, also known as Cak Hasan, the theme emphasizes that public health cannot be managed based solely on assumptions or conjecture, but must instead be grounded in a strong scientific foundation.
The word “Together” implies solidarity and shared responsibility, while “Science” serves as a guiding compass to ensure that our collective efforts toward a healthy life remain on the right and measurable path.
Reinterpreting the Meaning of Health
Furthermore, Cak Hasan highlighted that World Health Day serves as a reminder for society to reconsider the true meaning of being healthy. According to him, health is not merely the absence of disease symptoms or a condition in which the body “does not feel any complaints.”
In fact, health cannot be separated from physical fitness. “We often assume we are healthy simply because we have not fallen ill or shown any symptoms of disease. Health must be supported by fitness,” he stated on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Using an analogy, Cak Hasan compared the human body to a vehicle. A machine that appears undamaged or “healthy” does not necessarily have the strength to climb steep inclines or travel long distances.
“This is why it is important to understand that exercise is a necessity. I emphasize once again that exercise is essential for both health and fitness,” affirmed the professor from the Faculty of Sports Science and Health (FIKK) at Unesa.
Exercise as a Necessity for Everyone
Cak Hasan pointed out that many people still perceive exercise as something only necessary for those already visiting clinics or undergoing hospital treatment. In reality, exercise is essential for everyone, as it is both a need and a right of the body.
From a scientific perspective, exercise is the most honest laboratory of health and fitness. The “health workshop” is not limited to clinics or hospitals, which are curative in nature, but can also be found in jogging tracks, running paths, and even neighborhood streets filled with people exercising.
“In this open laboratory, every element, part, and mechanism of our body is trained and strengthened,” he asserted.
The Importance of Sports Communities
In line with the spirit of “Together for Health,” Cak Hasan also encouraged the growth of sports movements within communities through small groups. The increasing number of walking groups, running clubs, exercise communities, and organically formed sports clubs should continue to be promoted so that they do not become merely temporary trends.
He hopes that this spirit will spread to more people. The goal is not only to join existing communities, but also to take the initiative to create new movements within their own environments.
“We want to see more grassroots sports movements emerge. There is no need to wait for luxurious facilities; simply start in the alley in front of your house with neighbors and friends. Because exercise is an investment in health itself. Starting now, reduce inactivity and begin exercising. When we are healthy, the nation becomes strong,” Cak Hasan concluded.
