World Health Organization / WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized, non-political, health agency of the United Nations, with headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland.

The constitution WHO come into force on 7th April, 1948 which is celebrated every year as “World Health Day”.

At present 194 Member States in WHO. A World health day theme is chosen each year to focus attention on a specific aspect of public health.

The WHO is unique among the UN Specialized Agencies in that it has its own constitution, own governing bodies, own membership and own budget.

Objectives of World Health Organization

The objective of the WHO is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest level of health” which is set out in the preamble of the Constitution.

The current objectives of WHO is the attainment by all people of the world a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life.

The preamble of the WHO  Constitution states

1. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
2. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic and social condition.
3. The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and States.
4. The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of value to all.
5. Unequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and control of disease, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.
6. Healthy development of the child is of basic importance; the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such development.
7. The extension to all people of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.
8. Informed opinion and active cooperation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people.
9. Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures.

Work of World Health Organization

1. Prevention and control of specific diseases.
2. Development of comprehensive health services.
3. Family health
4. Environmental health
5. Health statistics
6. Biomedical research
7. Health literature and information.
8. Cooperation with other organizations.

Structure of World Health Organization

The WHO consist of three principal organs:

1. The World Health Assembly
2. The Executive Board
3. The Secretariat

Structure of WHO

1. The World Health Assembly

This is the “Health Parliament” of Nations and the supreme governing body of the world health organization.

It meets annually, generally at the headquarters in Geneva, but from time to time in other countries.

The assembly is composed of delegates representing Member States, each of which has one vote.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO.

Functions of World Health Assembly

1. To elect Members States to designate a person to serve for three years on the Executive Board, and to replace the retiring members.
2. To determine international health policy and programmes.
3. To review the work of the past year.
4. To approve the budget needed for the following year.
5. Appoints the Director General on the nomination of the Executive Board.

2. The Executive Board

The Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals technically qualified in the field of health, each one designated by a Member State elected to do so by the World Health Assembly.

Member States are elected for three-year terms.

The Board meets at least twice a year; the main meeting is normally in January, with a second shorter meeting in May, immediately after the Health Assembly.

The main functions of the Executive Board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, to advise the World Health Assembly and to facilitate the work of the Health Assembly generally.

3. The Secretariat

The Secretariat is headed by the Director General who is the chief technical and administrative officer of the organization.

The primary function of the WHO secretariat is to provide Member States with technical and managerial support for their national health development programmes.

The Secretariat of WHO is staffed by some 8000 health and other experts and support staff on fixed-term appointments, working at headquarters, in the six regional offices, and in countries.

At WHO headquarters in Geneva, there are 5 Assistant Director Generals each of whom is responsible for the work the work of such divisions as may from time to time be assigned to him by Director General.

Divisions of WHO Secretariat

On 31^st December, 1985 the WHO Secretariat comprised of the following divisions:

1. Division of communicable diseases.
2. Division of vector biology and control.
3. Division of environmental health.
4. Division of mental health.
5. Division of epidemiological surveillance and health situation and trend assessment.
6. Division of public information and education for health.
7. Division of diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative technology.
8. Division of strengthening of health services.
9. Division of family health.
10. Division of non-communicable diseases.
11. Division of health manpower development.
12. Divisions of information systems support.
13. Division of personnel and general services.
14. Division of budget and finance.

WHO Regional Headquarters

In order to meet the special health needs of different areas, WHO has established six regional organizations.

WHO Regional Office

There are 6 WHO regions, each with a regional office. In addition, WHO has 149 field offices in countries, territories or areas.

Countries without a WHO office are covered by nearby field office or by the appropriate regional office.

The regional office is headed by the Regional Director.

There is a regional committee composed of representatives of the Member States in the regions.

Regional committees meet once a year to review health work in the region and plan its continuation and development.

The South East Asia Region (SEARO)

The headquarters of The South East Asia Regional Office is in New Delhi. The Region has now 11 members.

Members of the South East Asia Region of WHO

WHO activities in South East Asia Region

1. Malaria eradication
2. Tuberculosis control
3. Control of other communicable diseases
4. Health laboratory services
5. Production of vaccines
6. Health statistics
7. Public health administration and rural health services.
8. Maternal and child health nursing
9. Environmental heal and water supply
10. Health education, nutrition, mental health, dental health, and medical rehabilitation.
11. Quality control of drugs and medical education.