On this day, led globally by the World Health Organization, we are reminded that health is a fundamental human right. 
At the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Africa (COEHA), we are using this moment to spotlight a largely invisible crisis:

The Absence of Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) in Africa.

Across much of Africa, millions of workers operate daily without access to even the most basic occupational health services.

Who is most affected?

Workers in high-risk sectors: Mining, Agriculture, Construction, and Manufacturing. These sectors form the backbone of many African economies, yet the workers sustaining them often lack protection.

The consequences are severe and preventable

The absence of BOHS leads to widespread, under-recognized occupational diseases, including:
– Silicosis from prolonged dust exposure
– Noise-induced  hearing loss in industrial settings
– Occupational cancers linked to hazardous exposures
– Chemical poisoning and respiratory illnesses
These are not rare conditions. They are daily realities often undiagnosed, untreated, and unreported.

A hidden burden on workers, families, and economies

 Without occupational health systems:
– Illness is detected late or not at all
– Workers lose livelihoods prematurely
– Families fall into poverty
– Health systems bear avoidable long-term costs
This is not only a health issue; it is a development challenge.

Why is this happening?

There is a critical lack of capacity across the region:
– Severe shortage of trained occupational health professionals
– Limited infrastructure and services
– Weak integration into national health systems

At COEHA, we believe:

No worker should risk their health simply by going to work. Addressing this crisis starts with acknowledging it. This World Health Day, we call on:
– Governments
– Health
– Institutions
– Employers
– Global partners
to recognize the urgent need for Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) across Africa.