World Health Organization

Major Achievements of the Organization

Some of the significant accomplishments for WHO have been in the areas of treatment for the crippling and disfiguring disease yaws for nearly 46 million patients across 49 countries. Further, a 13-year effort by the organization resulted in the complete eradication of smallpox from the planet in 1980. Eradication of this disease also resulted in saving an estimated $1 billion a year in vaccination and monitoring (Ladnyi, Jezek, & Gromyko, 1983).

WHO has been successful in eradicating polio from the Western Hemisphere, and campaigns toward the global removal of this disease continue. Other achievements include fighting parasitic and tropical diseases, particularly in Africa, and pressing the cause for universal immunization. Diseases such as polio, tetanus, and measles still kill more than 8 million children each year, especially in the developing countries. As compared with 1974, when only 5% of children in developing countries were immunized against these diseases, current statistics indicate that as a result of concerted efforts by organizations, among which UNICEF and WHO are the principal supporters, there is an 80% immunization rate, [Page 1152]resulting in saving the lives of more than 3 million children each year (United Nations, 1996).

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems (ICD-10), now in its 10th edition, is another one of the acclaimed achievements of WHO. This is a system through which diagnoses of diseases and other health-related problems are categorized according to established criteria. The success of such a classification is particularly seen in the acceptance of the ICD-10 as the international standard diagnostic classification for evaluation of health care (WHO, 1992–94).

Promises for the Future

As the world faces newer and newer health-related challenges for this millennium, WHO is moving forward in the 21st century by adhering to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were adopted by the United Nations in 2000. These goals provide an opportunity for concerted action to improve global health by placing health at the core of development and bridging the gap between the developed and developing countries through clear, reciprocal obligations. The organization has identified eight MDGs, which include eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowerment of women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and, finally, developing a global partnership for development.

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