World Health Organization

What is WHO?

🔹 Full Form: World Health Organization
🔹 Established: 7 April 1948
🔹 Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

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Role of WHO

The WHO’s role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system.

Key Roles and Functions of WHO

1. Global Health Leadership

   • Sets international health standards and policies.

   • Provides leadership on global health matters.

2. Health Research

   • Conducts and supports health research.

   • Provides evidence-based guidelines for treatments, diseases, and health systems.

3. Setting Standards

   • Develops international health regulations.

   • Creates guidelines for vaccination, patient care, safety protocols, etc.

4. Policy and Technical Support

   • Helps countries to strengthen their health policies, systems, and programs.

   • Provides technical assistance during health emergencies.

5. Monitoring Health Trends

   • Tracks disease outbreaks (e.g. COVID-19, Ebola).

   • Publishes data on global health statistics and trends.

6. Emergency Response

   • Coordinates international response in public health emergencies.

   • Provides guidance, supplies, and support to affected countries.

7. Promoting Health and Wellbeing

   • Works on disease prevention, maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation, mental health, etc.

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Examples of WHO Initiatives

✅ International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
✅ Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals
✅ Global Polio Eradication Initiative
✅ Guidelines on COVID-19 management
✅ Health promotion campaigns (e.g. World Health Day themes)

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