About WHO in SEAR

Objectives

The objective of the World Health Organization (hereinafter called the Organization) shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

Roll-Back Malaria
WHO is also working to Roll Back Malaria by developing a new health sector wide approach to combat the disease at global, regional, country and local levels. Malaria is a major health problem in Africa and South-East Asia and an important cause of poverty.

Functions

In order to achieve its objective, the functions of the Organization shall be:

      to act as the directing and co-ordinating authority on international health work;

Combatting Human Immuno Virus / Acquired Immuno-Deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
WHO has a crucial role to play in providing technical support to Member Countries in  Human Immuno Virus / Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention and care.

      to establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and such other organizations as may be deemed appropriate;

Stop TB
Nearly 40% of global burden of tuberculosis is in South-East Asia Region. WHO has taken a leadership role in accelerating implementation of DOTs strategy in the Region.

      to assist Governments, upon request, in strengthening health services;

      to furnish appropriate technical assistance and, in emergencies, necessary aid upon the request or acceptance of Governments;

      to provide or assist in providing, upon the request of the United Nations, health services and facilities to special groups, such as the peoples of trust territories;

      to establish and maintain such administrative and technical services as may be required, including epidemiological and statistical services;

No-Tobacco
The hazards of tobacco use have been proven and highlighted worldwide. Its use has increasingly been reported among women and youth. In the South-East Asia Region, tobacco poses tremendous health, economic and social challenges. Protecting vulnerable groups such as women and children and reducing the health and economic burden of tobacco use is a priority. WHO has, intensified its advocacy with Member Countries for more stringent tobacco control measures.

      to stimulate and advance work to eradicate epidemic, endemic and other diseases;

      to promote, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the prevention of accidental injuries;

      to promote in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene;

Eradication, Prevention and control of specific communicable diseases.
WHO is supporting its Member Countries in eradication of dracunculiasis, poliomyelitis, yaws and elimination of leprosy.WHO is also working for the prevention and control of  priority diseases in the Region, e.g. Human Immuno Virus / Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, Diarrhoeal Diseases, Respiratory Infection, DengueHaemorrhagic Fever (DHF), Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.

      to promote co-operation among scientific and professional groups which contribute to the advancement of health;

      to propose conventions, agreements and regulations, and make recommendations with respect to international health matters and to perform such duties as may be assigned thereby to the Organization and are consistent with its objective;

Environmental Health
WHO is supporting the Member Countries in promoting Environmental Health, especially water supply, sanitation and personal hygiene. (It is also spearheading the “healthy environment setting” initiative)

      to promote maternal and child health and welfare and to foster the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment;

      to foster activities in the field of mental health, especially those affecting the harmony of human relations;

      to promote and conduct research in the field of health;

      to promote improved standards of teaching and training in the health, medical and related professions;

 

Reproductive Health, Safe Motherhood and Adolescent Health
In recognition of the substantial proportion of   burden of disease and disability related to reproductive health as well as prevailing high maternal mortality in many countries of the Region, WHO identifies  Reproductive Health with life span perspective as a priority area with safe motherhood, family planning, prevention and treatment of complications of abortion, Reproductive Tract Infection /Sexually Transmitted Diseases (RTI/STD) and adolescent health as essential interventions.

      to study and report on, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where necessary, administrative and social techniques affecting public health and medical care from preventive and curative points of view, including hospital services and social security;

      to provide information, counsel and assistance in the field of health;
Non-Communicable diseases
 WHO is putting increased emphasis on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).It is estimated, in 1998, about 6.7 million deaths out of 14.8 million total deaths (45%) in SEAR countries were due to NCDs.The diseases are rapidly increasing in developing countries where a much younger age group of population is affected than in the developed world. WHO is trying to address this challenge through an integrated prevention of the main risk factors.

      to assist in developing an informed public opinion among all peoples on matters of health;

      to establish and revise, as necessary, international nomenclatures of diseases, of causes of death and of public health practices;

      to standardize diagnostic procedures as necessary;

      to develop, establish and promote international standards with respect to food, biological, pharmaceutical and similar products;

      generally to take all necessary action to attain the objective of the Organization.

IMCI involves with health workers and parents in the care of children.
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) tackles the major killers of children through their prevention and treatment in an integrated manner. This is being achieved by improving skills of health staff, health systems and family and community practices.