WHO
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WHO's mandate
WHO is a specialized agency within the Charter of the United Nations and was established in 1948 by 61 Governments "for the purpose of cooperation among themselves and with others to promote the health for all people". The number of Member States has now grown to 191.
The WHO definition of health
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".WHO has four main functions:
- to give worldwide guidance in the field of health,
- to set global standards for health,
- to cooperate with governments in strengthening national health programs, and
- to develop and transfer appropriate health technology, information and standards.
WHO structure
WHO performs through three principal bodies:
- The World Health Assembly, which is held, usually in Geneva, in May each year, and is attended by delegations from all Member States. Its main tasks are to approve the biennial programme budget, and to decide on major policy matters. The Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body.
- The Executive Board, whose main functions are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, to advise it, and generally to facilitate its work.
- The Secretariat, headed by the Director General, who is appointed by the World Health Assembly on the nomination of the Executive Board.
Dated: 23 July 2000
