WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Complete Notes for Competitive Examinations
By Home Academy
Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It serves as the global authority on health matters and works to improve healthcare systems, prevent diseases, promote medical research, and coordinate responses to health emergencies worldwide.
WHO plays a vital role in combating infectious diseases, improving maternal and child health, promoting vaccination programs, and establishing international health standards. It is one of the most important international organizations for ensuring global health security.
History of WHO
The idea of a global health organization emerged after the Second World War when countries recognized the need for international cooperation to address health challenges.
Before WHO, several international health organizations existed, but there was no single global body responsible for coordinating public health efforts worldwide.
During the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, member countries proposed the creation of an international organization dedicated to health. As a result, the Constitution of the World Health Organization was adopted on 22 July 1946.
The Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948, officially marking the birth of WHO.
Important Exam Fact
7 April is celebrated every year as World Health Day.
Formation of WHO
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitution Adopted | 22 July 1946 |
| Constitution Enforced | 7 April 1948 |
| Official Establishment | 7 April 1948 |
| Parent Organization | United Nations (UN) |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Headquarters
Headquarters:
Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva was chosen because it is an important center for international diplomacy and hosts many international organizations.
Current Head of WHO
Director-General:
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Important Facts
First African Director-General of WHO.
Assumed office in 2017.Re-elected for a second term in 2022.
Heads the WHO Secretariat and oversees global health initiatives.
Motto of WHO
"Health for All"
The organization strives to ensure that every individual has access to quality healthcare regardless of nationality, economic status, or social background.
Membership of WHO
WHO has 194 Member States.
Nearly all sovereign countries of the world are members.Each member state participates in decision-making through the World Health Assembly.
Objectives of WHO
The major objectives of WHO are:
Promotion of global health.
Prevention and control of diseases.
Improvement of healthcare systems.
Reduction of child and maternal mortality.
Promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Response to health emergencies.
Support for medical research.
Ensuring universal health coverage.
Organizational Structure of WHO
WHO functions through three principal organs:
1. World Health Assembly (WHA)
Supreme Decision-Making Body
The World Health Assembly is the highest governing body of WHO.
Functions
Determines WHO policies.
Approves the budget.Elects the Director-General.
Reviews health programs.
Sets global health priorities.
Meeting
Meets annually in Geneva.
Exam Point
World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of WHO.
2. Executive Board
Composition
The Executive Board consists of health experts nominated by member countries.
Functions
Implements decisions of the World Health Assembly.
Advises WHO on technical matters.Supervises the implementation of health programs.
Prepares the agenda for the World Health Assembly.
3. Secretariat
Head
Director-General
Functions
Manages day-to-day administration.
Implements WHO programs.Provides technical assistance to countries.
Conducts research and policy analysis.
The Secretariat includes thousands of health experts, doctors, scientists, and administrative staff working around the world.
Major Functions of WHO
1. Disease Prevention and Control
WHO coordinates international efforts to control diseases such as:
Malaria
Tuberculosis (TB)HIV/AIDS
Polio
Cholera
Influenza
Ebola
2. Vaccination and Immunization
WHO supports immunization programs worldwide and helps countries eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases.
3. Global Health Monitoring
WHO collects and analyzes health data from member countries.
It publishes reports on:
Disease outbreaks
Mortality rates
Health indicators
Public health trends
4. Emergency Health Response
WHO provides assistance during:
Epidemics
Pandemics
Natural disasters
Humanitarian crises
5. Setting International Health Standards
WHO develops guidelines and standards related to:
Medicines
Vaccines
Disease classification
Health regulations
Food safety
6. Promotion of Research
WHO encourages scientific research and international collaboration to improve healthcare technologies and treatments.
WHO Regional Offices
WHO operates through six regional offices.
| Region | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| Africa | Brazzaville |
| Europe | Copenhagen |
| South-East Asia | New Delhi |
| Eastern Mediterranean | Cairo |
| Americas | Washington, D.C. |
| Western Pacific | Manila |
Important Exam Fact
The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office is located in New Delhi, India.
Major Achievements of WHO
1. Eradication of Smallpox
WHO successfully eradicated smallpox in 1980.
It remains one of the greatest achievements in public health history.
2. Polio Eradication Program
WHO has significantly reduced polio cases worldwide through vaccination campaigns.
3. Expanded Immunization Programs
Millions of children receive vaccines annually under WHO-supported initiatives.
4. International Health Regulations (IHR)
WHO developed International Health Regulations to improve global preparedness against disease outbreaks.
5. COVID-19 Response
WHO coordinated global efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing guidelines, technical assistance, and disease surveillance.
Important WHO Reports
World Health Report
World Health Statistics Report
Global Tuberculosis Report
World Malaria Report
Global Health Observatory Reports
WHO and India
India is a founding member of WHO.
Important Contributions
Universal Immunization Programme
Polio Eradication Campaign
National Health Mission
Tuberculosis Control Program
COVID-19 Response Measures
Important Fact
India was declared Polio-Free in 2014.
Important Facts for Competitive Exams
WHO was established on 7 April 1948.
Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.World Health Day is observed on 7 April.
WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
WHO has 194 member states.
Director-General is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO's motto is "Health for All."
South-East Asia Regional Office is located in New Delhi.
Supreme body of WHO is the World Health Assembly.
Most Important MCQs
1. WHO was established in:
A. 1945
B. 1946
C. 1948 ✅
D. 1950
2. WHO headquarters is located at:
A. Paris
B. Geneva ✅
C. London
D. Rome
3. WHO is a specialized agency of:
A. UNESCO
B. IMF
C. United Nations ✅
D. WTO
4. World Health Day is celebrated on:
A. 5 June
B. 10 December
C. 7 April ✅
D. 1 May
5. The present Director-General of WHO is:
A. António Guterres
B. Margaret Chan
C. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ✅
D. Ban Ki-moon
6. WHO South-East Asia Regional Office is located in:
A. Mumbai
B. Kolkata
C. New Delhi ✅
D. Chennai
7. The highest decision-making body of WHO is:
A. Executive Board
B. Secretariat
C. World Health Assembly ✅
D. UN General Assembly
8. WHO has how many member states?
A. 191
B. 192
C. 193
D. 194 ✅
Statement Type Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements:
WHO was established in 1948.
WHO headquarters is located in Geneva.
WHO is a specialized agency of UNESCO.
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only ✅
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Consider the following statements:
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April.
The Director-General of WHO is elected by the World Health Assembly.
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2 ✅
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Q3. Consider the following statements:
WHO has 194 member states.
WHO is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 only ✅
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Conclusion
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the world's leading public health institution and plays a crucial role in disease prevention, vaccination, health research, emergency response, and international health cooperation. For competitive examinations such as JKSSB, JKPSC, UPSC, SSC, UGC-NET, CUET, and State-Level Exams, important areas include its history, formation, headquarters, organs, Director-General, World Health Day, membership, functions, and major achievements.
Home Academy
"Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow."