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World Health Organization (WHO)
(Arabic; French)
About World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. WHO’s Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date now celebrated every year as World Health Day.
Through WHO, governments can jointly tackle global health problems and improve people’s well-being.
In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defense against transnational threats.
Governance of WHO
WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. The Constitution defines health “ as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
193 countries and two associate members are WHO’s membership. They meet every year at the World Health Assembly in Geneva to set policy for the Organization, approve the Organization’s budget, and every five years, to appoint the Director-General. Their work is supported by the 34-member Executive Board, which is elected by the Health Assembly. Six regional committees focus on health matters of a regional nature.
Who are WHO partners in health?
WHO and its Member States work with many partners, including UN agencies, donors, nongovernmental organizations, WHO collaborating centres and the private sector.
The WHO Agenda
WHO operates in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing landscape. The boundaries of public health action have become blurred, extending into other sectors that influence health opportunities and outcomes. WHO responds to these challenges using a six-point agenda. The six points address two health objectives, two strategic needs, and two operational approaches.
- Promoting development
- Fostering health security
- Strengthening health systems
- Harnessing research, information and evidence
- Enhancing partnerships
- Improving performance
WHO Core Functions
In carrying out its activities WHO focuses on the following core functions:
- Providing leadership matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;
- Shaping the research agenda, and stimulating the generation, dissemination and application of valuable knowledge;
- Setting norms and standards, and promoting and monitoring their implementation;
- Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;
- Providing technical support, catalysing change and building sustainable institutional capacity;
- Monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.
Country Office Program
Lebanon is an active member of the WHO since it joined WHO constitution on 19 January 1949. The Country office team, under the leadership of the representative, works closely with the national authorities to formulate and implement adapted health policies and strategies and coordinate international health work. The collaborative programmes conform with the WHO general programme of work which fixes goals and targets for global health action.
Programmes/Activities in Lebanon
WHO is providing direct technical, administrative, and financial support to various joint programs (JPRM) between the WHO and Ministry of Health (MOH) aiming to improve the health status of the Lebanese population and strengthen the management and system of the health sector. The main programmatic areas of work include:
- Control of Communicable Diseases
- Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI.)
- Tuberculosis programme
- Polio programme
- National Aids Program
- Non communicable diseases programme
- Mental health (MH)
- Child and Adolescent Health (CAH) programme
- Elderly Health programme
- Safe motherhood Initiative
- Emergency Preparedness and Response programme
- Early recovery plan: Lebanon crisis
- Promotion of Healthy life style/ school health programme
- Tobacco Programme
- Health policy and Planning programme
- Environmental Health programme
- Occupational Health Programme
- Food Safety programme
- Primary Health Care (PHC) programme
- Health Information and Telecommunication (HIT) programme
- National Drugs Policies based on Essential Drugs (DPED) programme
In times of Crisis and health emergencies, WHO, the lead agency for health cluster ensures the following:
For further information about WHO programs and activities:
Dr. Houssain Abouzaid, WHO Representative in Lebanon
Dr. Alissar Rady, National Professional Officer
World Health Organization
Museum Square, Glass Bld., 4thFloor
Next to the Ministry of Public Health
P.O. Box 5391
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel.: 961-1-612970/1/2
Fax: 961-1-612973
E-mail: registry@leb.emro.who.int
URL: http://www.leb.emro.who.int
Updated in June2009
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