<–2/”>a >The World Health Organization (WHO) is the specialized organization for international health within the United Nations’ system. WHO experts produce health guidelines and standards, and help countries to address public health issues. World Health Organization also supports and promotes health research.WHO came into formal existence in 1948 as the UN specialist agency for health, incorporating several existing organizations that represented a long history of international health cooperation. WHO’s objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health, defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
All UN member states and others may join it. Through the World Health Assembly, its 192 member
states approve the programme of work and budget and decide major policy. A 32–strong executive board with rotating membership, selected on the basis of personal expertise rather than country representation (although a geographical balance is maintained), oversees implementation of assembly decisions
Organization of WHO:-
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of World Health Organization. It is attended by delegations from all World Health Organization Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The annual Board meeting is held in January when the members agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the Health Assembly.
Mains Functions and Objectives of World Health Organization are:-
(a) to act as the directing and co-ordinating authority on international health work;
(b) to establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and such other organizations as may be deemed appropriate;
(c) to assist Governments, upon request, in strengthening health Services;
(d) to furnish appropriate technical assistance and, in emergencies, necessary aid upon the request or acceptance of Governments;
(e) to provide or assist in providing, upon the request of the United Nations, health services and facilities to special groups, such as the peoples of trust territories;
(f) to establish and maintain such administrative and technical services as may be required, including epidemiological and statistical services;
(g) to stimulate and advance work to eradicate epidemic, endemic and other diseases;
(h) to promote, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the prevention of accidental injuries;
(i) to promote, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the improvement of Nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene;
(j) to promote co-operation among scientific and professional groups which contribute to the advancement of health;
(k) to propose conventions, agreements and regulations, and make recommendations with respect to international health matters and to perform such duties as may be assigned thereby to the Organization and are consistent with its objective;
(l) to promote maternal and child health and welfare and to foster the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total Environment;
(m) to foster activities in the field of mental health, especially those affecting the harmony of human relations;
(n) to promote and conduct research in the field of health;
(o) to promote improved standards of teaching and training in the health, medical and related professions;
(p) to study and report on, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, administrative and social techniques affecting public health and medical care from preventive and curative points of view, including hospital services and social security;
(q) to provide information, counsel and assistance in the field of health;
(r) to assist in developing an informed public opinion among all peoples on matters of health;
(s) to establish and revise as necessary international nomenclatures of diseases, of causes of death and of public health practices;
(t) to standardize diagnostic procedures as necessary;
(u) to develop, establish and promote international standards with respect to food, biological, pharmaceutical and similar products;
(v) generally to take all necessary action to attain the objective of the Organization.
,
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The WHO’s mission is to promote health and well-being, and to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development. The WHO’s work is guided by the principles of universality, Equity, solidarity, and accountability.
The WHO’s structure includes the following:
- The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the supreme decision-making body of the WHO. It is composed of representatives from all WHO Member States.
- The Executive Board is the executive organ of the WHO. It is composed of 34 members elected by the WHA.
- The Secretariat is the permanent staff of the WHO. It is headed by the Director-General, who is appointed by the WHA.
- The Regional Offices are located in six regions around the world. They provide technical support to Member States in their respective regions.
- The WHO Programme Budget is the annual budget of the WHO. It is approved by the WHA.
The WHO’s functions include the following:
- To provide Leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy Options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and evaluating the health situation.
- To promote health and well-being, and to contribute to the attainment of sustainable development.
- To provide technical assistance to Member States in the areas of health policy, planning, management, and service delivery.
- To conduct research on health issues and to disseminate the results of that research.
- To monitor and evaluate the health situation in Member States.
- To provide information and Education on health issues to the public.
The WHO’s programmes include the following:
- The Health for All (HFA) initiative is a global strategy to achieve health for all by the year 2000.
- The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2000. The MDGs include a number of health-related targets, such as reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.
- The Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) is a global strategy to reduce the burden of NCDs, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
- The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis.
- The Roll Back Malaria PARTNERSHIP is a global partnership to reduce the burden of malaria.
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a global fund that provides financial support to countries to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
- The World Health Report is an annual report published by the WHO. The report provides an overview of the global health situation and trends.
The WHO has made significant progress in improving global health over the past 70 years. However, there is still much work to be done. The WHO is facing a number of challenges, including the rise of noncommunicable diseases, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and the need to improve health systems in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO is committed to addressing these challenges and to working with its partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is governed by 194 Member States through the World Health Assembly.
The WHO’s objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Its main functions are to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system; to provide leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda and stimulating the development of new health technologies; to establish international standards for public health practice and to monitor and assess health trends; to promote health through the development of policies, programmes and strategies; to provide technical support to countries in strengthening their health systems; and to mobilize Resources for health.
The WHO’s programmes include:
- Health promotion: The WHO promotes health by encouraging healthy lifestyles, preventing disease, and providing treatment and care for those who are sick.
- Disease prevention and control: The WHO works to prevent and control diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and polio.
- Health systems strengthening: The WHO helps countries to strengthen their health systems so that they can provide quality health care to all people.
- Research and development: The WHO supports research into new health technologies and interventions.
- Health emergencies: The WHO responds to health emergencies such as outbreaks of infectious diseases and natural disasters.
The WHO is funded by contributions from Member States. In 2018, the WHO’s budget was US$4.7 billion.
The WHO is a valuable resource for information on health and health-related issues. Its website, www.who.int, provides a wealth of information on a wide range of topics. The WHO also publishes a number of publications, including the World Health Report, which is an annual report on the state of health in the world.
The WHO is a respected organization that plays a vital role in global health. It is committed to improving the health of people all over the world.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the WHO:
-
What is the World Health Organization?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is governed by 194 Member States through the World Health Assembly. -
What is the WHO’s objective?
The WHO’s objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. -
What are the WHO’s main functions?
The WHO’s main functions are to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system; to provide leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda and stimulating the development of new health technologies; to establish international standards for public health practice and to monitor and assess health trends; to promote health through the development of policies, programmes and strategies; to provide technical support to countries in strengthening their health systems; and to mobilize resources for health. -
What are the WHO’s programmes?
The WHO’s programmes include: -
Health promotion: The WHO promotes health by encouraging healthy lifestyles, preventing disease, and providing treatment and care for those who are sick.
- Disease prevention and control: The WHO works to prevent and control diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and polio.
- Health systems strengthening: The WHO helps countries to strengthen their health systems so that they can provide quality health care to all people.
- Research and development: The WHO supports research into new health technologies and interventions.
-
Health emergencies: The WHO responds to health emergencies such as outbreaks of infectious diseases and natural disasters.
-
How is the WHO funded?
The WHO is funded by contributions from Member States. In 2018, the WHO’s budget was US$4.7 billion. -
What is the WHO’s website?
The WHO’s website is www.who.int. -
What publications does the WHO produce?
The WHO publishes a number of publications, including the World Health Report, which is an annual report on the state of health in the world. -
What is the WHO’s reputation?
The WHO is a respected organization that plays a vital role in global health. It is committed to improving the health of people all over the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, with the goal of achieving better health for all people. The WHO’s primary objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
The WHO’s structure is based on the principle of “one health”, which recognizes that human health is closely linked to the health of animals and the environment. The WHO’s main functions are to provide leadership on global health issues, to set norms and standards, to provide technical assistance to countries, and to monitor and assess health trends.
The WHO’s programmes are designed to address a wide range of health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, and environmental health. The WHO also works to promote health equity and to improve access to health care for all people.
Here are some MCQs on the World Health Organization:
-
The World Health Organization was established in:
(A) 1948
(B) 1950
(C) 1952
(D) 1954 -
The WHO’s primary objective is to:
(A) Achieve better health for all people
(B) Promote health equity
(C) Improve access to health care
(D) All of the above -
The WHO’s structure is based on the principle of:
(A) “One health”
(B) “Health for all”
(C) “Health promotion”
(D) “Health equity” -
The WHO’s main functions are to:
(A) Provide leadership on global health issues
(B) Set norms and standards
(C) Provide technical assistance to countries
(D) All of the above -
The WHO’s programmes are designed to address a wide range of health issues, including:
(A) Infectious diseases
(B) Non-communicable diseases
(C) Maternal and child health
(D) Mental health
(E) Environmental health -
The WHO also works to promote:
(A) Health equity
(B) Access to health care
(C) Both (A) and (B) -
The WHO is a specialized agency of the:
(A) United Nations
(B) World Bank
(C) International Monetary Fund
(D) None of the above -
The WHO’s headquarters are located in:
(A) Geneva, Switzerland
(B) New York City, USA
(C) London, England
(D) Paris, France -
The WHO’s current Director-General is:
(A) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
(B) Margaret Chan
(C) Gro Harlem Brundtland
(D) Hiroshi Nakajima -
The WHO’s budget for 2020 is:
(A) $4.7 billion
(B) $5.7 billion
(C) $6.7 billion
(D) $7.7 billion