World Health Organisation

What is the purpose of the world health organisation?

Promote health for all, eradicate poverty, ensure essential medicines are accessible and coordinate specific disease programs within the united nation’s system

Example of how the WHO creates change across the world

China Tanzania Malaria Demonstration Project

• Collaborative effort between China and Tanzania

• Implemented “Test, Treat, Track” approach, utilising weekly malaria case data to identify high incidence areas for targeted interventions in Southern Tanzania

What are the roles of the world health organisation

Provide leadership

Shape the health research agenda

set norms and standards

articulate evidence based policy options

provide technical support

monitor the health situation and assess health trends

What is providing leadership

• guides countries in addressing public health challengies

• coordinates international responses to health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks and pandemics

• Sets strategic vision for global health, the WHO leads the way in initiative such as global health campaigns, vacxcination programs, health education

• Close partnerships with UN agen cies, donors, foundations, academia, non-governmental organisations and the private sector

Examples of providing leadership?

The WHO’s leadership in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic helped organise global efforts, distribute resources, and provide guidance on safety measures

What is Set norms and standards

• International health norms and standards, ensuring consistency and quality across health practices worldwide

• These norms cover a wide range of topics, including disease control procedures, medical treatments and health polciies

• WHO provides evidence based guidelines that help countries establish safe practices such as vaccination schedules and sanitation protocols

What is an example of setting norms and standards?

WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) provide a framework for countries to manage public health risks, including cross-border disease transmission.

Providing technical support

WHO offers technical support to countries in the form of expert advice, training and resource allocation to improve health systems

This support enables countries to strengthen their healthcare infrastructure, enhance disease surveillance, and implement effective health interventions

WHO assists in building local capacity to handle health crises, such as training healthcare workers to manage disease outbreaks

What are examples of providing technical support?

WHO’s support in the Global Malaria Program has helped countries scale up mosquito control and distribute life-saving treatments

shape the health research agenda

Shaping research agenda by stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge

WHO shapes the global health research agenda by identifying and prioritising the most urgent health issues

Organisation fosters collaboration and funding for health research on a global scale, ensuring resources are focused on areas with the highest impact

Through efforts such as global health research agenda, WHO directs the scientific community toward addressing diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and mental health issues

e.g. research in vaccine development has been cruicial in combating diseases like measles and polio

Examples of shaping the research agenda?

WHO’s research in vaccine development has been crucial in combating diseases like measles and polio.

Articulate evidence based policy opitions

WHO ensures that health policies ae based on sound evidence and ethical considerations

The organisation provides guidance to governments and organisations on crafting policies that are not only scientifically backed but also ethically appropriate for diverse populations

WHO promotes policies that support health equity, focusing on improving access to health services and addressing social determinants of health

e.g. WHO’s tobacco control policies advocate for smoking bans and public education campaigns, supported by evidence of health risks

What are examples of articulating evidence based policy options

WHO’s tobacco control policies advocate for smoking bans and public education campaigns, supported by evidence of health risks.

Monitor the situation and assess health trends

WHO monitors global health trends by collecting data on disease outbreaks, health statistics and emerging threats

Through initiatives such as global health observatory, who assess the effectiveness of global health interventions and tracks progress towards health goals

monitoring helps identify health patterns determine priorities and allocate resources effective

e.g. WHO’s tracking of malaria trends helps identify regions at high risk and ensures that interentions are implemented in the most affected areas

What are examples of monitoring the situation and assessing health trends

WHO’s tracking of malaria trends helps identify regions at high risk and ensures that interventions are implemented in the most affected areas.