The World Health Organization is a specialized and non political, health agency of the United Nations, with headquarters in Geneva. In 1946, the Constitution was drafted by the Technical Preparatory Committee under the chairmanship of Rane Sand, and was approved in the same year that is 1946 by an International Health Conference of 51 nations in New York. The constitution came into force on 7th April, 1948 which is celebrated every year as “World Health Day”. A World Health day theme is chosen each year to focus attention on a specific aspect of public health and public awareness spread throughout the world.
Objective
The objective of the WHO is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest level of health” which is set out in the preamble of the Constitution. The current objective of WHO is control of certain communicable and other common diseases. The preamble of the Constitution states:
1. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
2. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, Political belief economic and social condition or the area where they belong to.
3. The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security of the world and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and States.
4. The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of value to all.
5. Unequal development in the promotion of health and control of disease, in different countries especially communicable disease, is a common danger for all.
6. Healthy development of the child is of basic importance and the ability to live harmoniously in a changing world environment is essential to such development.
7. The extension of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge to all people is essentials to the improvement of the health of the people.
8. Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health facilities to the community.
The WHO is unique among all the UN Specialized Agencies in that it has its own constitution (no other agency of UN have its own constitution), own governing bodies, own membership and own budget. It is part of, but not subordinated to the United Nations.
In recent years, major policy developments have influenced the WHO. The Alma-Ata Conference in 1978 on primary health care has provided both WHO and UNICEF with a common charter for health and its development.
Membership
Membership in WHO is open to all countries. Most of the countries are members of both the UN and WHO. But there are some differences. For example, Switzerland was once a Member of WHO, but not a member of UN. But at present Switzerland is member of both UN and WHO. Territories which are not empowered to conduct their international relations can be admitted as associate member of WHO. Associate members can participate at the deliberations of WHO without voting rights. Each member contributes to the budget of WHO every year and they are entitled to the service and aid the organization.
