Rakesh Ranjan Nanda.

• 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 diseases
Eradication 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 care
Human reproduction
Nutrition
Health Education
The goal is to improve the quality of life
of the family as a unit.
4. Environmental health
WHO 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 Research
No 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 organisations
Collaboration with UN and other specialised
agencies.
 STRUCTURE
• 3 principle organs
 THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Health Parliament of Nations
Head quarters in Geneva
Composed of delegates representing member
states.
 Functions
1. 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 BOARD
34 member states
They are technically qualified in the field of
health.
 SECRETARIAT
Headed by director general
It has several divisions like division of
communicable d/s, vector control, mental health,
family health, environmental health, etc
 REGIONS
• 6 Regional organisations
Regions Headquarters
1. South east Asia New-Delhi
2. Africa Harare
3. The Americas Washington D.C.
4.Europe Copenhagen
5.Eatern Mediterranean Alexandrea
6.Western Pacific Manila

SEARO comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia,

Korea, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Srilanka, Thailand.
 WHO AGENDA
• PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT
• FOSTERING HEALTH SECURITY
• STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEM
• HARNESHING RESEARCH, INFORMATION &
EVIDENCE
• IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
Further reading