Health is usually considered a private matter; when one thinks of health, the first association is with a doctor, medication, and hospitals. Yet, in the modern world, health is already a global issue; the spread of a disease from one state to another takes only a short amount of time, and there are many factors that affect a person regardless of the state they are in: the availability of medicines, new pathogens, natural disasters, and health crises in other countries. This is why international cooperation is essential, and the World Health Organization, an international organization that coordinates efforts to improve the health situation of the population, was established.
The WHO was formally established on April 7, 1948, as a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It was created to ensure the highest possible level of health for everyone. The organization focuses its work on various aspects of health, such as epidemiology, vaccination, health security, nutrition, psychology, maternity care, health research, and access to drugs. However, despite the organization’s successes, one must also consider its failures.
The need for an organization like the WHO was due to the fact that the international community realized that health problems are not national; there were already intergovernmental organizations that focused on specific diseases. In addition, the organization was created due to the experience of World War II and post-war international health crises. Finally, the WHO charter was the first to recognize a broad concept of health, including the physical, mental, and social well-being of a person.
The headquarters of the organization is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization has six regional offices and more than 150 country offices, as well as other locations. The organization works at both the international and national levels, as the WHO coordinates activities with member states and other international organizations. The World Health Assembly is the organization’s decision-making body; it consists of delegates from the 194 member states of the WHO. The assembly approves the organization’s budget, programs, and work plan and adopts resolutions. In addition, the assembly elects the members of the Executive Board, which, in turn, oversees the implementation of the resolutions and the work plan and evaluates their execution. The Secretariat, the collective of all staff working for the WHO, is formed by the scientists, medical workers, administrative staff, and other specialists employed by the organization at the direction of the Director-General.
The most significant achievement of the organization is considered to be the eradication of smallpox, one of the most dangerous diseases. Smallpox was a devastating disease that significantly weakened the population; it left people with unsightly scars and was especially dangerous for children, as it killed them. However, in 1967, the WHO began a mass campaign to eradicate smallpox, which is an example of how international organizations can work together to solve problems. Despite the fact that mass vaccination has traditionally been used to combat viruses, the strategy chosen for smallpox was even more effective. In addition to vaccination campaigns, which were more effective because they targeted the most vulnerable groups, an effective surveillance system was created, which allowed the infection to be quickly isolated and prevented its spread. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in Somalia in 1977 and in 1980, the WHO declared the disease eliminated.
It is noteworthy that smallpox is one of the few diseases, along with polio, that has been eradicated. The success of the campaign shows that such a task is possible, and the campaign is yet another example of international cooperation. However, this success would have been impossible without the efforts of not only scientists and medical staff but also ordinary people who took care of the health of the population and drew attention to this problem and states that supported the campaign and took steps to eliminate the disease.
Vaccination and immunization have played, and still play, a significant role in the work of the WHO. In 1974, the WHO initiated the Expanded Program on Immunization to help countries immunize children against six dangerous diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, poliomyelitis, and rabies. WHO vaccines have saved millions of lives, but the work of the organization is by no means limited to these areas. The organization deals with a wide range of issues related to health: from nutrition, maternity and children’s health, and cancer to psychology, ecology, and social medicine. Moreover, the organization is working to ensure universal health care; that is, people should not have to spend a lot of money on services if they do not have them.
One of the organization’s successes is considered to be the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which was adopted in 2003. This document is an example of how the organization can influence the development of legislation; it also shows how the organization can not only develop policy guidelines but also help adopt them. The convention obliged states to take measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco use, as well as to develop and implement anti-smoking campaigns, restrict advertising, sale, and distribution of tobacco products, and organize smoke-free environments.
The organization plays a crucial role in global health security; it collects and analyzes scientific information, develops normative acts, regulations, and recommendations for member states, monitors health situations and disease outbreaks, and coordinates responses to them. The WHO’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. The organization has served as the coordinating and leading body in the fight against the virus; it has helped to attract attention to the problem and coordinate the actions of states. In addition, the WHO has helped to share research data and information about the treatment of the disease and vaccines. However, the organization has also shown weaknesses, as the pandemic highlighted the extent of international cooperation and the limitations of the WHO in coordinating the actions of countries. States have taken measures to combat the pandemic depending on their capabilities and political situations; the organization does not have the authority to impose restrictions on states. In other words, the WHO does not have unlimited authority because it cannot dictate terms to states; international law does not allow it.
The limitations of the organization are often not discussed because they are too broad; the organization performs its functions within the framework of the existing global structure, which means that its work depends to a great extent on political and economic factors and the actions of states. Moreover, it is essential to understand that the organization has limited resources since most of its funding comes from donations, which may entangle the organization in internal problems. In addition, there is a problem of politicization; the organization must act as an impartial moderator in all international issues, but political issues often intersect with health issues. One of the organization’s most pressing challenges is the inequality in the health status of populations, as the organization cannot ensure equal conditions for the health of all people. Different countries have different levels of health care; for example, some have highly developed care and qualified medical staff, while others have none.
Another challenge for the organization is the problem of trust since people get their information from various sources, including social media, where misinformation is spreading. In addition to countering disinformation, the organization must ensure that its recommendations are understood correctly and that people trust the information provided.
The future of the WHO and, more specifically, global health, depends to a large extent on this organization. Climate change, antimicrobial resistance, emerging infections, an aging population, and the growing burden of non-communicable disease will require a stronger response, increased research, and more significant investments in health systems as well as appropriate financing mechanisms. The organization must ensure that its recommendations consider the varying levels of economic development of countries and populations. It is essential to ensure objectivity and integrity at all levels, as well as to promote scientific independence. Finally, it is vital to remember that the success of the organization depends not only on the quality of its work and services but also on trust between the organization and its stakeholders.
The WHO has come a long way since its creation and has achieved great success in improving the health situation of the world’s population. The organization plays a vital role in promoting health and addressing health security challenges that individual countries cannot address on their own. International organizations such as the WHO exist because no country is independent when it comes to health; it is a truly global issue. The WHO allows countries to pool resources and knowledge to find solutions to global health challenges. Its strengths include the fact that despite the organization’s limited powers, it unifies the actions of many countries at once, demonstrating that some problems require a collective effort rather than individual action.
The organization known as the WHO has done an outstanding job for the world’s health. Besides, eradicating smallpox, they have numerous accomplishments under their belt. However, despite their past successes there is still much for them to do in terms of improving the world’s health. After all, disease spares no one, and it is important that countries come together to fight them.
By: Ankur Yadav
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