Understanding the Role of World Health Organization: What Does WHO Do?
If you are someone who values health and well-being, you must have heard about the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is responsible for promoting health globally, preventing the spread of diseases, and providing healthcare services to people in need.
What is the World Health Organization?
The WHO was established in 1948 with the intention of coordinating and directing international health. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and its current director-general is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
What are the Objectives of WHO?
The main objectives of WHO are to:
- Promote health and well-being globally
- Provide healthcare services to people in need
- Combat communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Develop policies and strategies to improve global health
- Provide leadership on matters critical to health and engage in partnerships where joint action is needed
- Monitor and assess health trends
- Provide technical support and guidance
How Does WHO Function?
WHO operates through six regional offices: Africa, Americas, South-East Asia, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific. Each office is responsible for implementing WHO programs for its respective region.
The organization collaborates with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and other UN agencies to achieve its objectives. WHO relies on donations from member states and private individuals to fund its programs.
What are Some Examples of WHO’s Work?
WHO has been instrumental in the eradication of smallpox, a deadly infectious disease that once claimed millions of lives. The organization’s vaccination campaigns have played a key role in reducing the incidence of diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus.
WHO has also played an important role in responding to infectious disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, the Zika virus outbreak in Latin America in 2015, and the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2019.
The organization has developed a range of guidelines and recommendations on various health-related issues, including nutrition, mental health, and reproductive health. WHO also works to improve access to health services, particularly in developing countries.
Conclusion
The World Health Organization is a vital organization that plays a crucial role in promoting global health and well-being. Its work is essential in combating infectious diseases, providing healthcare services to those in need, and improving access to health services around the world.
