Health Organizations

National Health Programmes in India

1. National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) – For the eradication of malaria.
2. National Filaria Control Programme (NFCP) – For the eradication of filaria.
3. National Smallpox Eradication Programme (NSEP) – For the eradication of smallpox.
4. National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) – For controlling Leprosy.
5. National Cholera Control Programme (NCCP) – For controlling cholera.
6. Tuberculosis Programme – For controlling tuberculosis.
7. Pulse Polio Programme – For eradication of polio.

International Health Organizations

The two most important international health organizations are –: WHO (World Health Organization) ; Red Cross

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is a specialized non-political health agency of the United Nations with headquarters at Geneva.

• The constitution of WHO came into force on 7^th April, 1948 which is celebrated every year as “World Health Day”.
• WHO has six regional offices including one in Delhi.

Reason and Objective of WHO

Reason – Member countries of UNO focused on the need for creating an international body to look after the health problems of people of the world. With this motive WHO came into existence.

Objective – The objective of WHO is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health – also known as “health for all” – by 2000 A.D.

• Health – Health, as defined in the WHO constitution , is a state of complete physical, mental and social well- being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Activities of WHO

1. To act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.
2. To promote technical cooperation.
3. To assist governments, upon request, in strengthening health services.
4. To collect and supply information about occurrence of diseases of epidemic nature.
5. To promote and coordinate projects for research on diseases.
6. To suggest quarantine measures (isolation of patient) to prevent spread of disease to others.

Red Cross

• The Red Cross is a non- political , non- official international humanitarian organization. It is devoted to the services of mankind in peace and war.
• The idea of this voluntary organization was conceived by Henry Dunant who was appalled by the neglect of thousands of wounded and dying soldiers in the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
• Dunant’s plea met with success in 1864 when in the First Geneva Convention a treaty was signed for the relief of the wounded and the sick of the armies in the field.