What does it really take to protect global health in an age of pandemics, rising diseases, and growing inequalities? This question has defined the World Health Organization (WHO) since its founding on 7 April 1948.
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Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO is the United Nations’ specialized health agency, representing 194 Member States and coordinated by 6 regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. Its Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (the first African to become WHO Director-General), has led the body since 2017.
WHO’s constitutional goal is clear: health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being — not merely the absence of disease.” Over the decades, WHO has played a decisive role in eradicating smallpox, advancing the near-eradication of polio, and spearheading responses to Ebola and COVID-19.
Today, the WHO’s focus extends to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and the growing threat of non-communicable diseases like cancer and heart ailments. It also advocates universal health coverage, nutrition security, and strong emergency preparedness.
Funded largely by member contributions and global donors, WHO continues to set international health standards while monitoring risks and providing life-saving technical support.
However, as health crises become increasingly complex, one question remains: Is the WHO equipped to safeguard every person’s right to health in the 21st century?
📢 What’s your opinion on WHO’s role in shaping our global health future?
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