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Home Entry Topic Review Current: The World Health Organization (WHO): An
In-Depth Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO): An In-Depth Overview
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The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is a specialized
agency of the United Nations focused on international public health.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO plays a pivotal role in global health
governance by providing leadership on health matters, setting norms and
standards, and offering technical support to countries. The organization is
structured into six regional offices and is governed by the World Health
Assembly and the Executive Board. WHO’s core areas of focus include combating
infectious diseases, addressing non-communicable diseases, strengthening health
systems, and responding to health emergencies. Notably, WHO led the global
eradication of smallpox and has been instrumental in initiatives against polio,
HIV/AIDS, and most recently, COVID-19. Despite its successes, WHO faces
challenges such as funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and
political pressures. As it looks to the future, WHO’s work will continue to be
guided by its commitment to promoting health, achieving universal health
coverage, and addressing emerging health threats, ensuring its ongoing relevance
and impact in global health.
Global Health Infectious Diseases Health Systems WHO Governance
INTRODUCTION
The World Health Organization (WHO), established on April 7, 1948, is a
specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public
health. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO’s primary goal is to
promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. As the directing
and coordinating authority on international health within the UN system, WHO is
a pivotal player in global health governance, providing 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 assessing health trends.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The establishment of the WHO was a response to the increasing recognition of the
need for a global organization dedicated to health issues. The idea of an
international health organization dates back to the 19th century with the
creation of the International Sanitary Conferences, which aimed to combat
diseases such as cholera, plague, and yellow fever that had no regard for
national borders. However, it was not until after World War II that the WHO was
formally established, in part due to the realization that the health and
well-being of people across the world were interdependent.
The WHO constitution was adopted by 61 countries on July 22, 1946, and it came
into force on April 7, 1948, a date now celebrated annually as World Health Day.
The early years of the WHO saw significant efforts in combating infectious
diseases, with notable achievements such as the global eradication of smallpox,
one of the organization's most remarkable successes.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The WHO operates through six regional offices, each of which oversees
health-related activities in a specific geographical area:
1. AFRO - Africa Regional Office (Brazzaville, Republic of Congo)
2. EMRO - Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (Cairo, Egypt)
3. EURO - European Regional Office (Copenhagen, Denmark)
4. PAHO - Pan American Health Organization (Washington, D.C., USA)
5. SEARO - South-East Asia Regional Office (New Delhi, India)
6. WPRO - Western Pacific Regional Office (Manila, Philippines)
The WHO is governed by two decision-making bodies:
1. The World Health Assembly (WHA): This is the supreme decision-making body of
WHO, composed of representatives from all 194 member states. It meets
annually to set policies, approve the budget, and discuss the work of the
WHO.
2. The Executive Board: Consisting of 34 members technically qualified in the
field of health, the Executive Board is responsible for implementing the
decisions and policies of the WHA and providing guidance and recommendations
on health issues.
At the helm of the WHO is the Director-General, who is appointed by the World
Health Assembly. The Director-General's role is crucial in providing leadership
and ensuring that the organization's mission and goals are pursued effectively.
The current Director-General is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has held the
position since 2017.
CORE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The WHO's work is guided by its constitution, which outlines the organization's
objectives and functions. The core functions of the WHO include:
1. Providing Leadership on Global Health Matters: WHO plays a pivotal role in
convening international forums, fostering collaboration among countries, and
setting global health priorities. By facilitating discussions and
negotiations, WHO helps to build consensus on key health issues.
2. Shaping the Health Research Agenda: WHO identifies and promotes research
priorities in global health, ensuring that research efforts are aligned with
the most pressing health challenges. The organization also disseminates
research findings to inform health policies and practices worldwide.
3. Setting Norms and Standards: WHO is responsible for establishing
international health standards, guidelines, and protocols. These standards
cover a wide range of areas, including disease prevention, treatment, and
management, as well as the safety and efficacy of medicines and vaccines.
4. Providing Technical Support to Countries: WHO offers technical assistance to
member states in developing and implementing health policies, strengthening
health systems, and responding to public health emergencies. This support is
tailored to the specific needs of each country and is often provided in
collaboration with other international partners.
5. Monitoring and Assessing Health Trends: WHO collects and analyzes data on
global health trends, providing countries with the information they need to
make informed decisions. This includes monitoring disease outbreaks,
tracking progress toward global health goals, and assessing the impact of
health interventions.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS
WHO’s mandate is broad, covering virtually every aspect of health, but there are
certain areas where the organization has historically focused its efforts:
1. Infectious Diseases: WHO has been instrumental in the global fight against
infectious diseases. The eradication of smallpox in 1980 stands as one of
the most significant achievements in public health history. WHO continues to
lead initiatives against other infectious diseases, including polio,
malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and more recently, COVID-19.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, launched by WHO in 1988, has
brought the world to the brink of eradicating polio. WHO’s efforts in
combating HIV/AIDS, through its Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, have
also been pivotal in reducing the global burden of this disease.
2. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): In recent decades, WHO has increasingly
focused on the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as heart
disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. These
diseases are now the leading cause of death globally, and WHO’s Global
Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs aims to reduce the burden
of these diseases by promoting healthy lifestyles, improving health systems,
and ensuring access to essential medicines.
3. Health Systems Strengthening: WHO works closely with countries to strengthen
their health systems, ensuring that they are capable of delivering essential
health services to all citizens. This includes improving health financing,
health workforce development, health information systems, and access to
medicines. Universal health coverage (UHC) is a central goal of WHO, as
outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3.
4. Health Emergencies: WHO plays a critical role in responding to health
emergencies, including natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and
humanitarian crises. The organization's Health Emergencies Programme was
established to provide a more rapid and effective response to emergencies.
WHO's work in this area includes disease surveillance, risk assessment,
response coordination, and the provision of technical support to affected
countries.
5. Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health: WHO is committed to improving the
health of mothers, children, and adolescents. The organization’s strategies
focus on reducing maternal and child mortality, improving reproductive
health, and promoting adolescent health. Initiatives such as the Global
Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health aim to ensure that
all women, children, and adolescents can survive and thrive.
6. Mental Health: Recognizing the growing burden of mental health disorders,
WHO has made mental health a priority area. The Mental Health Action Plan
2013-2020 outlines a comprehensive approach to improving mental health
services, promoting mental well-being, and reducing the stigma associated
with mental disorders. WHO’s work in this area is guided by the principle
that mental health is an integral part of overall health.
7. Environmental Health: WHO addresses environmental determinants of health,
including air and water quality, sanitation, and the impact of climate
change on health. The organization’s work in this area is crucial in
protecting populations from environmental risks and promoting sustainable
development.
8. Promoting Health through the Life Course: WHO adopts a life-course approach
to health, recognizing that health needs and challenges change throughout an
individual’s life. This approach emphasizes the importance of addressing
health issues at all stages of life, from prenatal care to healthy aging.
WHO’S ROLE IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most significant public health
challenges in recent history, and WHO has played a central role in the global
response. From the early days of the outbreak, WHO has been at the forefront of
coordinating the international response, providing technical guidance to
countries, facilitating the sharing of information and best practices, and
leading efforts to develop and distribute vaccines.
WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
on January 30, 2020, and subsequently characterized it as a pandemic on March
11, 2020. The organization has since worked tirelessly to support countries in
their response to the pandemic, including through initiatives such as the Access
to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the COVAX facility, which aim to ensure
equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Despite facing criticism for its handling of the pandemic, particularly in the
early stages, WHO’s role has been indispensable in the global fight against
COVID-19. The pandemic has underscored the importance of international
cooperation and the critical role of WHO in coordinating global health efforts.
CHALLENGES AND CRITICISMS
While WHO is widely recognized for its contributions to global health, it has
not been without its challenges and criticisms. Some of the key issues include:
1. Funding: WHO relies on contributions from member states and donors to fund
its operations. However, the organization has faced financial constraints,
with concerns about its ability to sustain its activities. Approximately 80%
of WHO's budget comes from voluntary contributions, which can create
challenges in ensuring predictable and sustainable funding.
2. Bureaucracy: WHO, like many large international organizations, has been
criticized for being overly bureaucratic and slow to respond to emerging
health challenges. Critics argue that the organization needs to be more
agile and responsive to global health threats.
3. Political Influence: The organization has faced criticism for being
influenced by political considerations, particularly in its dealings with
member states. Some have argued that WHO’s actions have been compromised by
the need to maintain good relations with powerful countries.
4. Pandemic Preparedness: WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been
scrutinized, with critics arguing that the organization was slow to respond
and did not take a strong enough stance in the early stages of the outbreak.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for WHO to strengthen its role in
pandemic preparedness and response.
THE FUTURE OF WHO
Looking ahead, WHO faces the dual challenge of addressing existing global health
issues while also preparing for emerging health threats. The organization’s work
will be guided by the WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 13), which
covers the period 2019-2023. GPW 13 focuses on three strategic priorities:
ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages, achieving universal
health coverage, and addressing health emergencies.
WHO will continue to play a critical role in global health, particularly as the
world faces new challenges such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and
the ongoing threat of pandemics. The organization’s ability to adapt to these
challenges and continue its mission of promoting health, keeping the world safe,
and serving the vulnerable will be key to its future success.
CONCLUSION
The World Health Organization remains an essential institution in the global
health landscape. With its broad mandate and unique position as a coordinating
body for international health efforts, WHO is vital to the pursuit of global
health equity and the protection of populations from health threats. While it
faces significant challenges, WHO’s ongoing work and future initiatives will
continue to shape the health and well-being of people around the world.
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2017, to help contain an outbreak of diphtheria, one of the world's deadliest
diseases. Kutupalong became the world's largest refugee camp in August and
September 2017 after a mass exodus of over 750,000 Rohingya people feeling
ethnic persecution in neighbouring Burma. By February 2018, thanks to the
combined efforts of numerous medical teams working with the Bangladeshi Ministry
of Health, the outbreak had been largely brought under control. There were over
5,000 suspected cases and sadly at least 37 deaths - but without the emergency
interventions, many more people may have died. Picture: Russell
Watkins/Department for International Development.
Keywords: bacteria; diphtheria
The World's First Malaria Vaccine Video
Such a historical moment for science and Parasitologists all over the world. The
First parasite vaccine ever and The World's first Malaria vaccine...( The RTS,
[1][2]S or Mosquirix). It's in October 2021, the WHO has finally decided to roll
out the Malaria vaccine to protect African children under the age of 5. We might
be entering the Renaissance era in our fight against this ancient disease.
Keywords: Plasmodium, Malaria, The RTS,S or Mosquirix).; Malaria, vaccine,
Mosquirix
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Subjects: Health Policy & Services
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Hicham Wahnou
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Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 04 Sep 2024
Table of Contents
* Introduction
* Historical Context
* Organizational Structure
* Core Functions and Responsibilities
* Key Areas of Focus
* WHO’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic
* Challenges and Criticisms
* The Future of WHO
* Conclusion
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Wahnou, H. The World Health Organization (WHO): An In-Depth Overview.
Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/56874 (accessed
on 12 January 2025).
Wahnou H. The World Health Organization (WHO): An In-Depth Overview.
Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/56874. Accessed
January 12, 2025.
Wahnou, Hicham. "The World Health Organization (WHO): An In-Depth Overview"
Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/56874 (accessed January 12, 2025).
Wahnou, H. (2024, September 03). The World Health Organization (WHO): An
In-Depth Overview. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/56874
Wahnou, Hicham. "The World Health Organization (WHO): An In-Depth Overview."
Encyclopedia. Web. 03 September, 2024.
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