WHO Member Countries: What They Are Doing for Global Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote global health and well-being, prevent and respond to health emergencies, and support countries in achieving universal health coverage. It has 194 member states that cooperate and collaborate with each other and with the WHO on various health issues.
Some of the activities that WHO member countries are doing for global health are:
Participating in the World Health Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body of the WHO. The assembly meets annually to review and approve the WHO’s budget and program of work, elect its director-general and executive board members, and adopt resolutions on health matters.
Implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR), which are legally binding rules that require countries to report and respond to public health events that may have international consequences. The IHR also provide guidance on how to prevent, detect and control outbreaks of diseases such as Covid-192.
Working with WHO country offices, which are led by a WHO representative (WR) who acts as the primary adviser of that country’s government on health issues. The country offices provide technical support, policy advice, coordination and advocacy for improving health outcomes.
Contributing to global health initiatives, such as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to end polio worldwide by vaccinating every child against the disease; or the COVAX Facility, which is a global mechanism for ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for all countries.