75 Years of Successful Global Health Initiatives and Milestones: Celebrating The World Health Organization This year, April 7th is celebrated as the World Health Day for this year. More so, the WHO has reached its 75th anniversary this year. Therefore, it plays a leading role in managing and coordinating global health initiatives.
The theme for WHO’s campaign this year is “Health For All.” Moreover, the reflections on where they have come from will be done by World Health Organization. It also looks at today’s health challenges.
This article examines successful global health initiatives and milestones accomplished by the World Health Organization.
The Beginnings
In April 1945, diplomats held meetings that led to formation of United Nations. They discussed creating an international health organization among other things. At that time, health was very important because many people had suffered due to the Second World War.
However, on April 7th, 1948 was when WHO was eventually established and signed (Hartley-Brewer). Therefore, every year people commemorate this date. We all commemorate everything that has been achieved globally by the organization during its hard work.
The Incredible Work Of The WHO
No one can deny that over these years WHO has done a lot of good work. My BioSource attempted to look into and share some of the incredible achievements made so far by this organization.
Below are some of the main milestones and achievements reported by WHO
Smallpox Eradication Program
The Smallpox Eradication Program was launched in 1967 by WHO. It went through all continents across the globe (Hartley-Brewer). In general terms; this was an intense initiative which ultimately led to total eradication smallpox in1980s.
This marked the first instance ever any disease was wiped out globally involving humans hence seen as a very huge milestone for WHO.
Global Polio Elimination
Polio eradication initiative was started in 1988, just eight years after smallpox had been eradicated. My BioSource have discovered that polio cases today are down by 99%. This is another great achievement for the WHO.
Nevertheless, polio is not yet totally eradicated across the globe. In 2021, a naturally occurring poliovirus was found in Pakistan and Afghanistan (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). However, WHO expects to see it go away completely one day.
Tobacco Control
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international treaty which aims at reducing tobacco supply and demand has been accepted by many countries throughout the world (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
It has been ratified by 168 states out of which it is legally binding on 182 countries.
Ebola Control
After West Africa Ebola outbreak claimed lives of more than 11,000 people, WHO successfully managed to contain it. The group helped build up surveillance and response capacities in affected countries. They also provided technical assistance as well as coordinated global actions.
COVID-19 Support
WHO has taken a lead role in advising other nations around the world on how to fight COVID-19 pandemic through provision of materials and support across borders. Apart from this organization’s substantial contributions towards creation and distribution of vaccines via COVAX initiative.
A specialist from MyBioSource said through WHO’s assistance they have been able to offer “coronavirus products including antibodies, PCR, ELISA Kits and molecular biology products as well as antigens and recombinant proteins. These are part of our growing portfolio of coronavirus products to help move research forward.”
Furthermore, these products are helping the organization with more evidence and support for them to control and slowly eliminate the disease.
Improving The Health Of Children And Women
The plan seeks to lower preventable deaths while enhancing women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health status. It requires a life-course approach with an emphasis on equality and human rights.
This is one of the latest projects of the WHO since its establishment in 2016 so far but not limited to 2030.
Final Notes
Since it came into being, the World Health Organization has done a lot to enhance human beings’ health across the globe. They have established several programs which made certain maladies totally extinct.
On this particular date of 75th anniversary since the establishment of the agency. There exists a great deal for which to be grateful about the organization.
We trust that this article is worth your time and that these are reasons enough to celebrate World Health Organization.
