WHO (World Health Organization) - International Health Chapter

Historical Background: Early International Health Cooperation

First International Sanitary Conference (1851)

Pan American Sanitary Bureau (1902)

• Established in 1902 in the Americas - the world's first international health agency
• Originally intended to coordinate quarantine procedures in American States
• In 1924, the "Pan American Sanitary Code" was signed
• In 1947, reorganized and renamed Pan American Sanitary Organization (PASO)
• In 1949, it became the WHO Regional Office for the Americas
• In 1958, renamed Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) with headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Office International d'Hygiene Publique - OIHP (1907)

• At the 1903 International Sanitary Conference, a decision was made to establish a permanent International Health Bureau
• In 1907, the OIHP was established in Paris under the Rome Agreement, signed by 12 nations
• Its primary function was to collect and disseminate epidemiological information, particularly on cholera, plague, and yellow fever
• It published a monthly bulletin and weekly telegraphic communications
• When WHO was established in 1948, OIHP was dissolved

Health Organization of the League of Nations (1923)

• The League of Nations set up a Health Organization in 1923 with headquarters in Geneva
• Functions included: technical assistance to governments, standardization of biological products, campaigns against cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases
• It had an Epidemiological Intelligence Service that collected and disseminated weekly epidemiological information
• Was disbanded when the League of Nations was dissolved in 1946
• Its functions were temporarily taken over by UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) and then WHO

UNRRA (1943)

• Set up in November 1943 to provide relief and rehabilitation in post-war liberated countries
• Carried out extensive health work including fighting epidemics of typhus, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases
• Dissolved in 1947; its health functions were transferred to WHO

Birth of the WHO

• Origin: April 1945, at the San Francisco conference to establish the United Nations, representatives of Brazil and China proposed an international health organization
• The Constitution was drawn up at an International Health Conference in New York in 1946
• The same conference set up an "Interim Commission" to carry out urgent tasks until the WHO constitution was ratified
• Ratifications secured by 7 April 1948 - the formal existence of WHO began on this date
• World Health Day: 7th April, celebrated every year; a theme is chosen annually to focus on a specific public health aspect

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - Full Profile

Basic Facts

Objective

Preamble of the Constitution (Key Statements)

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 depends on 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 is a common danger.

Functions of WHO

1. Directing and coordinating authority on international health work
2. Assisting governments in strengthening health services
3. Furnishing technical assistance and emergency aid on request
4. Providing epidemiological and statistical services
5. Stimulating and advancing work to eradicate epidemic, endemic, and other diseases
6. Promoting cooperation among scientific and professional groups
7. Setting standards for food, biological, pharmaceutical, and similar substances
8. Developing and revising international nomenclature of diseases, causes of death, and public health practices
9. Promoting and conducting research in the health field
10. Promoting maternal and child health, and welfare in changing environments
11. Fostering activities in the field of mental health
12. Promoting and improving standards of teaching and training in health, medical, and related professions

Structure / Organs of WHO

(a) World Health Assembly (WHA)

• The supreme governing body of WHO
• Meets once a year (normally in May at Geneva)
• Composed of delegates from all member states, each member state having one vote
• Main functions:
  • Determine international health policy and programmes
  • Review the work of the past year
  • Approve the budget for the following year
  • Elect Member States to designate persons to serve on the Executive Board (3-year terms)
  • Appoints the Director General on nomination of the Executive Board
  • Organizes "technical discussions" on subjects of world interest

(b) The Executive Board

• Originally 18 members; subsequently raised to 24, then 30
• In 1976, raised to 31 members (no fewer than 3 from each WHO region)
• Currently has 34 members
• Members must be "technically qualified in the field of health" - they are designated by but do NOT represent their governments
• One-third of membership renewed every year
• Meets at least twice a year (generally January, and shortly after WHA in May)
• Main work: give effect to decisions and policies of the Assembly
• Has power to take action in emergencies (epidemics, earthquakes, floods)

(c) The Secretariat

• Headed by the Director General - the chief technical and administrative officer
• Primary function: provide Member States with technical and managerial support for national health development
• Staff in 1948: 250 persons; by 1985: 4,475 international public servants; by 2010: ~8,000 health and support staff
• At headquarters in Geneva: 5 Assistant Director Generals, each responsible for specific divisions
• Key Divisions of WHO Secretariat:
  1. Division of Epidemiological Surveillance and Health Situation and Trend Assessment
  2. Division of Communicable Diseases
  3. Division of Vector Biology and Control
  4. Division of Environmental Health
  5. Division of Public Information and Education for Health
  6. Division of Mental 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. Division of Information Systems Support
  13. Division of Personnel and General Services

WHO Regional Offices

India falls under the South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), headquartered in New Delhi.

Membership

• Any UN Member State may become a member of WHO
• Non-UN states may be admitted by a simple majority vote of the World Health Assembly
• Territories may become Associate Members
• Currently WHO has 194 member states

Work / Achievements of WHO

Relationship with Other Organizations

• WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for international health within the UN system
• Collaborates with UNICEF (child health, immunization), FAO (food standards, nutrition), ILO (occupational health), World Bank (health financing)
• Works with NGOs and national health ministries
• Collaborates with PAHO (which acts as WHO's Regional Office for Americas)