The national and international bodies that fight disease and protect health.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the United Nations agency for health. It was founded on 7 April 1948 (celebrated each year as World Health Day) and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Its work includes controlling infectious diseases, running vaccination campaigns, setting health standards, warning countries about outbreaks and supporting health research. Its greatest success was the global eradication of smallpox, declared in 1980.
WHO was founded in 1948 and smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980. How many years later was that?
1980 − 1948 = 32 years.
Where is the headquarters of WHO?
Geneva, Switzerland.
Name two functions of WHO.
Any two: controlling epidemics, vaccination campaigns, setting health standards, health research, advising governments.
The Red Cross was started by Henry Dunant of Switzerland, who was moved by the suffering of wounded soldiers at the Battle of Solferino in 1859. The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863 and Dunant received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901. It gives care and relief to victims of war, floods, earthquakes and other disasters, runs blood banks and first-aid training. The Indian Red Cross Society, established in 1920, does similar work in India. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund (founded 1946), helps children with vaccines, nutrition, clean water and education.
Who founded the Red Cross and why?
Henry Dunant, after seeing the suffering of wounded soldiers who had no care at the Battle of Solferino.
Name two activities of the Indian Red Cross Society.
Any two: disaster relief, blood donation camps, first-aid training, health care for the poor.
What does UNICEF work for?
The health, nutrition, education and protection of children.
In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare plans national health programmes such as the Universal Immunisation Programme, which gives vaccines to children and pregnant women. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) carries out medical research. Hospitals, primary health centres and community health workers bring care to villages. India was certified polio-free by WHO on 27 March 2014 after years of pulse polio campaigns.
What is the Pulse Polio programme?
A national campaign giving oral polio drops to all children under five on fixed days to eradicate polio.
What is the work of ICMR?
It plans and promotes medical and health research in India.
Why are blood donation camps important?
Blood cannot be made artificially, so donated blood saves patients in surgery, accidents and illness.
1. What does WHO stand for?
2. On which date is World Health Day celebrated?
3. Which disease did WHO declare eradicated in 1980?
4. Who founded the Red Cross?
5. In which year was the Indian Red Cross Society established?
6. What is UNICEF?
7. Name two activities of the Red Cross.
8. How many years after the Red Cross was founded (1863) was WHO founded (1948)?
9. When was India certified polio-free?
10. Why do countries need international health organisations?