HEALTH AGENCIES AROUND THE WORLD

HEALTH AGENCIES AROUND THE WORLD




INTRODUCTION

• There is no longer any question in this and many other countries that the health of the citizens is a proper concern f the government.
• The concept of public health today has changed in a striking manner and a vast network or public health units have evolved.

• Two kinds of agencies carry on public health work official and voluntary.
• Official agencies are those supported by public taxation and operated by national or state governments.
• Voluntary agencies are those which obtain their money from fund-raising appeals and other voluntary private sources.

THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT

• The international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network.
• The movement is neutral and impartial, and provides protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts.
It has three main components:
• The international committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• The international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• 186 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and red Crescent.
• Humanity
The international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.
• Its purpose is to protect human life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all people.

• Impartiality
• It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
• It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

• Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

• Independence
• The movement is independent. The national societies must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement.

• Voluntary Service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
• Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country.
It must be open to all. It must carry its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

• Universality
The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is worldwide, in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.

THE INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

• The Indian Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian organization which came into existence in the year 1920 through an Indian parliamentary act.
• It has a network of over 700 branches throughout the country, providing relief in times of disasters/ emergencies and promotes health & care of the vulnerable people and communities.
• Social & Relief work
• Supplies of essential items
• Maintenance of blood banks
• Services for maternal and child welfare
• Medical care for defense forces
• Family planning services
• First Aid Services

THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

• John Davison Rockefeller was a billionaire American industrialist and philanthropist.
• This foundation is mainly responsible for establishment of All India institute of hygiene and public health in Calcutta. The program in India includes.
• Training of competent research workers.
• Scholarships to candidates from India for trainings or research work in foreign countries.
• Financial assistance to teaching institutions and research projects.
• Setting up of libraries in medical colleges.
• Assistance for improvements in the field of agriculture, family planning, rural health etc.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

• The ILO is a relatively old organization dating from the end of the First World War.
• The main purpose of establishment of ILO was for improving the living and working conditions of the working population in different parts of the world.
The primary function of ILO is
• Establishment of peace by promoting social justice.
• To improve that living standards and labor conditions of working people around the world.
• To promote economic and social stability id ILO co-operates with WHO in industrial health, in the hygiene of ships and the health of seamen, and in the study of social and health insurance schemes.

The Ford Foundation
• It was established on January 15
• In India it was established in 1952 at invitation of prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
• The major commitments made by ford foundation includes
• Agriculture and rural development
• Human rights
• Higher education and scholarships
• Arts and culture

THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZAATION (FAO)
• The FAO was formed in the year 1945 and its headquarters is situated in Rome.
The main functions of FAO include:
• Providing help to all nations to fight poverty and to raise the living standards of their people.
• Ensuring adequate availability of food to people of all nations through increased production of food.
• Helping nations to increase the efficiency in the fields of farming, forestry and fishing.
• Campaigning for the freedom from hunger in all nations.
• Helping the nations to better the conditions of their people in rural areas.

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)
• The UNICEF was created by the General assembly during its first session in 1946.
Function
• Combining humanitarian and development objectives,
• UNICEF cooperates with countries in their effort to protect their children and to enable them to develop their full potential.
• UNICEF has its goal as the realization of every child of the opportunity to enjoy the basic rights and privileges.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Introduction:
• The world Health Organization is a specialized agency within the Charter of the United Nations, which is non-political in its functions.
• WHO was established in the year 1948 by 61 Government for the purpose of co-operation among themselves and with others to promote the health of all people.

The constitution of WHO:
• Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and states.
• Healthy development of the child is of basic importance, the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such development.
The membership is WHO is open to all countries, with non-self governing territories as associate members.

Conclusion
• International health has come to comprise this problem in field of health which require consideration and action by more than one country.
• Such problem may be dealt with officially by government or unofficially national/international voluntary associations.