The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations
responsible for international public health. Founded on 7 April 1948, its primary role is to
direct and coordinate health within the UN system, setting international health standards,
providing technical assistance to countries, and monitoring and assessing global health
trends.
Structure of WHO
The organizational structure of the WHO is designed to ensure global health initiatives are
effectively carried out across the world. It has six main components:
1. World Health Assembly (WHA):
o This is the supreme decision-making body of WHO, composed of
representatives from the 194 Member States.
o The Assembly meets annually to determine WHO policies, approve its budget,
and elect the Director-General.
2. Executive Board (EB):
o Comprising 34 members technically qualified in health, the Executive Board
gives effect to the decisions of the WHA and facilitates its work.
o Members are elected for three-year terms and meet twice a year.
3. Director-General:
o The Director-General is the chief executive officer of the WHO and is
responsible for the overall management of the organization.
o They serve a five-year term and are appointed by the WHA.
4. WHO Secretariat:
o The Secretariat carries out the day-to-day work of WHO, providing technical
support, coordinating research, and setting norms and standards.
o It consists of staff working in WHO’s headquarters, six regional offices, and
country offices worldwide.
5. Regional Offices: WHO operates six regional offices to ensure programs are adapted
to local needs:
o AFRO (African Region) in Brazzaville, Congo.
o PAHO (Pan American Region) in Washington, D.C., USA.
o SEARO (South-East Asia Region) in New Delhi, India.
o EURO (European Region) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
o EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean Region) in Cairo, Egypt.
o WPRO (Western Pacific Region) in Manila, Philippines.
6. Country Offices:
o WHO has over 150 country offices working closely with governments and
partners to implement health programs on the ground.
Regions of WHO
The six WHO regions ensure that the organization can address health challenges according to
geographic, cultural, and socio-economic differences. Each region has its own Regional
Director and Regional Office that work in cooperation with the countries in their jurisdiction.
Core Functions of WHO
1. Providing leadership on global health matters: WHO plays a leading role in
shaping the research agenda and spearheading discussions on critical health issues.
2. Setting norms and standards: WHO develops international standards and guidelines
to improve health outcomes and ensure the quality and safety of health products and
practices.
3. Conducting research: WHO promotes health research and supports Member States
in applying scientific advancements to health policy.
4. Monitoring health trends: WHO gathers data and provides statistical insights into
health conditions, disease outbreaks, and other public health issues, informing policy
decisions and responses.
5. Providing technical support: WHO aids countries in strengthening their healthcare
systems, offering technical advice, and responding to health emergencies.
6. Developing health policies: WHO collaborates with governments to create public
health policies, guidelines, and strategies to improve global health.
Key Works and Initiatives of WHO
Immunization and Vaccination Programs: WHO plays a central role in global
vaccination campaigns, including its leadership in the fight to eradicate polio and its
work in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Communicable Diseases Control: WHO is active in the prevention and control of
infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs): WHO provides guidance on tackling NCDs
like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, which are leading causes of
death globally.
Health Emergencies: WHO coordinates responses to health emergencies, such as
pandemics, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises. It played a critical role in
responding to the Ebola outbreak and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health: WHO advocates for mental health awareness and has launched
initiatives like the Mental Health Action Plan to improve mental health services
worldwide.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC): WHO works with countries to develop systems
that provide universal access to essential healthcare services, ensuring affordability
and quality.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): WHO has a strong focus on combatting AMR,
which poses a significant global health threat due to the overuse of antibiotics.
In summary, WHO is instrumental in shaping health policies globally, responding to health
crises, and working towards a healthier world through research, standard-setting, and
collaboration with its Member States.