WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

• WHO is a specialised non political health agency of the united nations and it is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the united nations system.

• It represents the single worldwide inter-governmental health agency

• Origin-7th april 1948.

• Headquaters-Geneva,Switzerland.

• Director General-Margaret Chan(since 9th Nov 2006)

OBJECTIVE• In the preamble-The attainment by all

peoples of the highest level of health.• The preamble of the constitution states Health is a state of complete physical,

mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health.

Attainment of peace and security.Unequal development in promotion of

health and control of disease is a common danger.

Healthy development of the child, ability to live harmoniously.

Benefit s of medical, psychological and related knowledge to fullest atainment of knolwedge.

Two major developments has influenced the WHO.

• Alma-Ater conference 1978

• Global Strategy for Health for All by

2000

MEMBERSHIP

• Open to all countries.

• Currently 193 members in all.

• Executive board – 34 members.

WORK OF WHO

1. Prevention and control of specific diseasesEradication of small pox- outstanding example. Now the battle is against AIDS. It also includes activities in the field of vector biology and control. Immunisation against common diseases of childhood (Expanded Program of Imunisation)

2. Development of comprehensive health services.Promotion and support to national health policy development and development of comprehensive national health programs. It includes

• Organising health systems based on primary health care.

• Appropriate Technology for Health (ATH)• Efforts to build up primary health care.

3. Family Health Subdivided into:

Maternal and child health careHuman reproductionNutritionHealth Education

The goal is to improve the quality of life of the family as a unit.

4. Environmental healthWHO advises govts. on national programs for provision of basic sanitary services. Programs include :

• WHO environmental health criteria program

• WHO environmental health monitoring program.

5. Health Statistics.Concerned with variety of morbidity and mortality statistics. Data published in weekly epidemiological records and world health statistics.

6. Biomedical ResearchNo research on its own. World wide network of WHO collaborating centers.There are Regional Advisory Committees and a global advisory committee.Target of WHO’s Special Program for research and Training in Tropical Diseases, include malaria, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis and leprosy.

7. Health literature and information.Clearing house for information on health problems.MEDLARS

8. Co-operation with other organisationsCollaboration with UN and other specialised agencies.

STRUCTURE

• 3 principle organsTHE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

Health Parliament of NationsHead quarters in GenevaComposed of delegates representing member states.

Functions1. Determine Int. health policy and

programs.2.Review the work of past year.3.Approval of budget for following

year.4.Elect member states

EXECUTIVE BOARD34 member statesThey are technically qualified in the field of health.

SECRETARIATHeaded by director generalIt has several divisions like division

of communicable d/s, vector control, mental health, family health, environmental health, etc

REGIONS• 6 Regional organisations

Regions Headquarters1. South east Asia New-Delhi

2. Africa Harare

3. The Americas Washington D.C.4.Europe Copenhagen

5.Eatern Mediterranean Alexandrea6.Western Pacific Manila

SEARO comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Srilanka, Thailand.