World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action |
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Appendices | World Health Organisation | ||||
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The objective of WHO is the attainment
by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health, as
defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity. In support of its main objective, the Organization has a wide
range of functions, including the following: To act as the directing and
co-ordinating authority on international health work; To promote
technical co-operation;
To assist Governments, upon request, in strengthening health services;
To furnish appropriate technical assistance and, in emergencies,
necessary aid, upon the request or acceptance of Governments;
To stimulate and advance work on the prevention and control of epidemic,
endemic and other diseases;
To promote, in co-operation with other specialized agencies where
necessary, the improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation,
recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of
environmental hygiene;
To promote and co-ordinate biomedical and health services research;
To promote improved standards of teaching and training in the health,
medical and related professions;
To establish and stimulate the establishment of international standards
for biological, pharmaceutical and similar products, and to standardize
diagnostic procedures;
To foster activities in the field of mental health, especially those
activities affecting the harmony of human relations.
WHO also proposes conventions, agreements, regulations and makes recommendations
about international nomenclature of diseases, causes of death and public
health practices. It develops, establishes and promotes international standards concerning
foods and biological, pharmaceutical and similar substances.
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