--> *W.H.O.
[world health organization]
*Introduction [PAGE 1]
World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for Health. It is an inter-
governmental organization and works in collaboration with its member states usually through the
Ministries of Health. The World Health Organization is responsible for 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.
Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to
promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the
highest level of health
India became a party to the WHO Constitution on 12 January 1948. The first session of the WHO
Regional Committee for South-East Asia was held on 4-5 October 1948 in the office of the Indian
Minister of Health. It was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India and was
addressed by the WHO Director-General, Dr Brock Chisholm. India is a Member State of the WHO South
East Asia Region.
*HISTORY OF WHO [PAGE 2]
When diplomats met to form the United Nations in 1945, one of the things they discussed was setting
up a global health organization. WHO’s Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now
celebrate every year as World Health Day.
In April 1945, during the Conference to set up the United Nations (UN) held in San Francisco,
representatives of Brazil and China proposed that an international health organization be established
and a conference to frame its constitution convened. On 15 February 1946, the Economic and Social
Council of the UN instructed the Secretary-General to convoke such a conference. A Technical
Preparatory Committee met in Paris from 18 March to 5 April 1946 and drew up proposals for the
Constitution which were presented to the International Health Conference in New York City between 19
June and 22 July 1946. On the basis of these proposals, the Conference drafted and adopted the
Constitution of the World Health Organization, signed 22 July 1946 by representatives of 51 Members of
the UN and of 10 other nations.
The Conference established also an Interim Commission to carry out certain activities of the existing
health institutions until the entry into force of the Constitution of the World Health Organization. The
preamble and Article 69 of the Constitution of WHO provide that WHO should be a specialized agency of
the UN. Article 80 provides that the Constitution would come into force when 26 members of the United
Nations had ratified it. The Constitution did not come into force until 7 April 1948, when the 26th of the
61 governments who had signed it ratified its signature. The first Health Assembly opened in Geneva on
24 June 1948 with delegations from 53 of the 55 Member States. It decided that the Interim Commission
was to cease to exist at midnight on 31 August 1948, to be immediately succeeded by WHO.
*Goals of WHO [PAGE 3]
WHO’s mission revolves around ensuring that all people have access to the best possible health
facilities. The organisation has a wide range of functions that support its principal goal. These include;
• Assume the role of supreme authority in international healthcare.
• To encourage technological collaboration in the field of healthcare.
• To help various governments in improving healthcare services.
• On the request or acceptance of governments, provide adequate technical assistance in crises
and essential relief.
• To begin and continue efforts on the epidemic, endemic, and other disease prevention and
control.
• To encourage, if required, the improvement of nutrition, housing facilities, sanitation,
recreation, economic or working circumstances, and other areas of environmental hygiene in
collaboration with other specialised agencies outside and inside the United Nations.
• To encourage global biomedical and health services research.
• To encourage higher teaching and training standards in the healthcare, medical, and allied
professions.
• To develop worldwide standards for biological, pharmaceutical, and other related goods and
standardise diagnostic processes.
• To encourage initiatives in mental health.
*Functions of WHO [PAGE 4]
The Health Assembly decides the organisation’s policies.
It oversees the organisation’s financial policy and examines and approves the budget.
In line with any agreement between the organisation and the United Nations, it reports to the Economic
and Social Council.
The Secretariat
The Secretariat comprises the Director-General and other technical and administrative employees.
The Health Assembly appoints the Director-General on the board’s nomination and terms determined
by the Assembly.
Associate Membership and Membership
Members of the United Nations can join the organisation as members. Associate Members are
territories or groupings of territories that are not accountable for the conduct of their foreign affairs.
*WHAT IS THE WORK OF WHO [PAGE 5]
WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s
response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old
age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using
science-based policies and programmers. Our work---
We put science to work to build a healthier, safer world
The World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to achieve better health for all. By
connecting countries, people and partners, we strive to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a
safe and healthy life.
From emerging epidemics such as COVID-19 and Zika to the persistent threat of communicable diseases
including HIV, malaria and tuberculosis and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer,
we bring together 194 countries and work on the frontlines in 150+ locations to confront the biggest
health challenges of our time and measurably advance the well-being of the world’s people.
Working with 194 Member States across 6 regions and on the ground in 150+ locations, the WHO team
works to improve everyone’s ability to enjoy good health and well-being.
* WHO IN INDIA [PAGE 6]
India became a party to the WHO Constitution on 12 January 1948. The first session of the WHO
Regional Committee for South-East Asia was held on 4-5 October 1948 in the office of the Indian
Minister of Health. It was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India and was
addressed by the WHO Director-General, Dr. Brock Chisholm. India is a Member State of the WHO South
East Asia Region.
Dr Roderico H. Ofrin is the WHO Representative to India.
The WHO Country Office for India is headquartered in Delhi with country-wide presence. The WHO
Country Office for India’s areas of work are enshrined in its Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2019-
2023.
WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition
‘The WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition’ has been jointly
developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) of the Government of India (GoI)
and the WHO Country Office for India. The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), provides a strategic
roadmap for WHO to work with the GoI towards achieving its health sector goals, improving the health
of its population and bringing in transformative changes in the health sector.
The India CCS is one of the first that fully aligns itself with the newly adopted WHO 13th General
Programme of Work and its 'triple billion' targets, the Sustainable Development Goals and the WHO
South-East Asia Region’s eight Flagship Priorities. The CCS also captures the work of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Framework for 2018–2022.
The CCS outlines how WHO can support the MoHFW and allied Ministries to drive impact at the country
level. The CCS builds on other key strategic policy documents including India’s National Health Policy
2017, the many pathbreaking initiatives India has introduced — from Ayushman Bharat to its National
Viral Hepatitis Control Programme and promotion of digital health amongst others.
This CCS not only builds upon the work that WHO has been supporting out in the last several years, but
also expands to address complex challenges–such as the prevention of NCDs, the control of
antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the reduction of air pollution, and the prevention and treatment of
mental illnesses — WHO will further expand its collaboration with a broader set of government sectors
and other stakeholders beyond health, under the overall guidance of the MoHFW, as well as continue to
work collaboratively with other United Nations (UN) agencies and international partners.
The period of this CCS is expected to bring rapid and significant changes to India’s health sector and to
improve access to quality health care, especially to the vulnerable and underserved populations.
CASE STUDY
1 How a strong health system fights a pandemic in Thailand [PAGE 7]
Outside China, Thailand was the first country to detect a case of COVID-19. After an initial spike in cases,
Thailand went 102 days between May and September without any reported local transmission of
COVID-19. Thailand’s four decades of investment in its health system has positioned the Country to
effectively respond to the current public health crisis.
2 WHO role in Israel Palestine Conflict
Since 7 October 2023, the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has caused
large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries.
In the Gaza Strip, airstrikes and a lack of medical supplies, food, water and fuel have virtually depleted
an already under-resourced health system. Hospitals have been operating far beyond capacity due to
rising numbers of patients as well as displaced civilians seeking shelter. The provision of essential health
services – from maternal and newborn care to treatment for chronic conditions – has been severely
compromised.
In Israel, hundreds of civilians - including children and the elderly - have been taken hostage.
Attacks on health have been reported in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, killing and injuring
health workers and patients, and damaging health facilities and ambulances.
WHO is working with partners to address the most urgent health needs, including through the provision
of life-saving medical supplies.
WHO urges all parties to protect health and ensure safe access to health care for their populations.
3 How lessons learned from the Ebola virus helped Liberia respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
[PAGE 8]
Immediately after WHO declared COVID-19 outbreak to be a public health emergency of international
concern, WHO offices in countries, territories and areas globally swiftly repurposed their operations to
provide relevant guidance and support to hosting governments in designing and implementing
sustainable interventions that contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, ensure uninterrupted provision of
essential health services, save lives and protect the vulnerable. Below case studies illustrate different
aspects of WHO response to COVID-19 in countries, territories and areas and focus on successful
interventions but also highlight ongoing challenges and represent the experience of a diverse range of
countries, each with different population health needs, health system development, and levels
resources.
4 WHO role in Ukraine Emergency
WHO is working through our offices in Ukraine and neighboring countries, and with partners, to respond
to the health emergency triggered by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. We are delivering
specialized medical supplies, coordinating the deployment of medical teams, and working with health
authorities to minimize disruptions to the delivery of critical healthcare services within Ukraine and in
countries hosting refugees.
WHO continues to deliver much-needed support on urgent health needs, with urgent priorities being
mental health, rehabilitation – of the health systems and the affected populations - and community
access to health services.
During the crisis, health must remain a priority pillar, with health workers being protected so they can
continue to save lives and with health systems and facilities being protected so that they remain
functional, safe and accessible to all who need essential medical services. It is imperative to ensure that
life-saving medical supplies – including oxygen – reach those who need them. WHO is coordinating
nearly 200 health partners to deliver various health services across the country, reaching 8.5 million
people in 2022.
*Bibliography—
➢ https://www.who.int (WHO Official website)
➢ https://unacademy.com (Unacademy)
➢ https://www.drishtiias.com (Drishti IAS)
➢ https://www.researchgate.net (Research Gate)
➢ https://www.chathamhouse.org (Chatham House)
