Knowing More On World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN). Established in 1948 to improve and guide international health conditions, it carries out specific and essential tasks, i.e. epidemic control, quarantine measures, drug standardisation, and other international health issues.

According to the WHO constitution, its highest objective is ‘the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health’. WHO defines individual health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmityߴ. Each year it celebrates its date of establishment, i.e. April 7, 1948, as World Health Day.

The World Health Organisation

With headquarters in Geneva, the WHO primarily seeks to guide and improve international health conditions. It carries out its operation through the World Health Assembly that meets annually as the general policy-making body through an executive board of health specialists. These specialists are elected every three years by the assembly.

The WHO secretariat carries out routine tasks and improved strategies consisting of experts, staff, and all field workers that have been appointed either at the central headquarters, one of the six regional WHO offices, or other offices located in the global member countries. 

The Director-General is nominated by the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly, who is aided by a Deputy Director-General. Each director has a specialisation in a particular department of the WHO framework. It has different departments for diverse tasks including family, women’s and children’s health care, and innovation in the health system.

WHO is annually financed by the contribution made by all the members based on their relative financial capabilities. In addition to these contributions, after 1951, WHO was allocated essential resources from the UN’s expanded technical-assistance program. 

Objectives

The primary objectives of WHO include:

• To help and assist countries seeking progress towards universal health coverage.
• To aid countries in establishing their capacity and stick to the International Health Regulation.
• To address social, economic, and environmental factors in public health.
• To coordinate the responses to non-communicable diseases.
• To promote public health and well-being in keeping with the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Working of the organisation 

WHO has standardised measures for all its member countries, i.e. a set of international sanitary regulations. Significant precautions include quarantine measures without the interference of unnecessary trade and air travel across national boundaries. WHO keeps member countries updated about cancer research, drug development, disease prevention methods, use of vaccines, ways to control drug addiction, health hazards of chemicals and substances, etc.

It takes over the measures to control the spread of an epidemic and disease by making people aware of the steps and preventions to be taken at the time of an outbreak through mass campaigns involving nationwide vaccination programs, instructions on using antibiotics and insecticides, updates needed in the laboratory, and clinical facilities to diagnose and prevent the disease at an early stage. WHO also assists by supplying clean water, sanitation facilities, and health education, especially to those who live in rural areas. 

Achievements of WHO

The WHO has successfully cured and fought AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, smallpox, etc. In May of 1980, smallpox was globally eliminated through WHO’s efforts. 

WHO during the COVID-19 Pandemic

On December 1 2019, a coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly to the rest of the world, resulting in imposed lockdowns across geographies and boundaries. This virus claimed millions of lives, affecting human health and having significant economic and financial ramifications felt globally.

During the pandemic, WHO played a vital role in controlling the spread of the virus. By promoting individual vaccinations and proper healthcare guidelines, WHO is doing its part in maintaining the pandemic as best. The official WHO website is replete with information and statistics that help better understand the situation and find solutions. 

The WHO Website 

The official WHO website provides all kinds of health-related information, including:

• Issues
• Situations and recovery from the pandemic
• Information related to vaccines and vaccinations

The website also hosts a donation section where people can donate to aid those who cannot afford proper medical facilities and healthcare. 

Conclusion 

WHO serves a vital role in improving and standardising health issues and measures through proper observation, research, and care. It helps its member countries by providing correct and updated information about diseases and supplying them with necessities whenever there is a shortage. In short, WHO is responsible for international public health.