1.0 Health Organisations: Global and Local
Health is a global concern that transcends national borders. To manage pandemics, establish safety standards, and provide aid during disasters, several Health Organisations operate at international, national, and local levels. In ICSE Class 9, the focus is on the WHO, Red Cross, and various UN agencies.
1. World Health Organization (WHO)
Formed on April 7, 1948, the WHO is the premier international body for health under the United Nations.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Primary Aim: The attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
- Key Functions:
- To collect and supply information about the occurrence of diseases.
- To establish international standards for biological and pharmaceutical products.
- To coordinate research on curative and preventive measures for diseases like cancer and AIDS.
- To organize campaigns for the eradication of major diseases (e.g., Smallpox, Polio).
2. The Red Cross
The Red Cross is a non-political, non-official international humanitarian organisation. It was founded by Sir Henri Dunant.
- Humanitarian Aid: Providing relief to victims of natural disasters (floods, earthquakes) and man-made disasters (war).
- Blood Donation: Running voluntary blood banks and ensuring safe blood transfusion.
- Health Education: Promoting hygiene and first aid training.
- Care for Soldiers: Providing medical assistance to wounded soldiers regardless of their nationality.
UNICEF & UNESCO: While WHO focuses on general health, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) focuses specifically on the health and nutrition of mothers and children, and UNESCO focuses on education and science, which includes health awareness.
Quick Reference: Health Agencies
| Agency | Scope | Unique Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| WHO | Global | Setting standards for vaccines and drugs. |
| Red Cross | Global/Local | Blood collection and Disaster relief. |
| National Health Services | National | Running hospitals and maternity homes. |
The "Health" Definition: The WHO definition of health is often quoted in exams: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Frequently asked: "When is World Health Day?" It is April 7th, commemorating the establishment of the WHO. Also, note the difference: WHO is an official body of the UN, while the Red Cross is a voluntary agency.
2.0 Local and National Health Services
While international bodies like the WHO set the global agenda, the actual implementation of health policies happens at the National and Local levels. In India, this is managed through a hierarchy of services that ensure medical care reaches even the most remote rural areas.
1. Role of Local Authorities
Municipal Corporations in cities and Panchayats in villages are responsible for the following "Public Health" duties:
- Sanitation: Ensuring proper drainage and sewage disposal systems to prevent water-borne diseases.
- Clean Water Supply: Regular testing and chlorination of drinking water to kill pathogens like Vibrio cholerae.
- Food Inspection: Checking for Adulteration in markets and ensuring hygiene in public eating houses.
- Vital Statistics: Maintaining records of births and deaths to help the government plan future health resources.
2. Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
PHCs are the cornerstone of rural healthcare in India. They act as the first point of contact between the village community and the medical officer.
- Immunization: Conducting regular drives for DPT, Polio, and BCG vaccines.
- Maternal Care: Providing antenatal care for pregnant women and promoting institutional deliveries.
- Family Planning: Educating the rural population on population control and reproductive health.
- National Programs: Implementing specific schemes like the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
The Role of St. John Ambulance: A major non-governmental organisation (NGO) that focuses on providing First Aid training and ambulance services. It plays a critical role in supporting national health services during large public gatherings and accidents.
Healthcare Hierarchy in India
| Level | Facility | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Village Level | Sub-Centres / PHCs | Basic treatment, First Aid, and Vaccination. |
| District Level | District Hospitals | Specialized surgery and advanced diagnostics. |
| National Level | Institutes like AIIMS | Medical research and super-specialty care. |
Quarantine: A term derived from the Italian "quaranta" (forty). Historically, it refers to the 40-day isolation period for ships arriving in ports to prevent the spread of the plague. Today, local health organisations use it to stop the transmission of infectious diseases by isolating exposed individuals.
Frequently asked: "Why is the maintenance of vital statistics important for health organisations?" Answer: It allows the government to calculate the Disease Burden, predict future outbreaks, and allocate budgets for vaccines and hospital beds correctly.