History
of Agency in the World and Iran
The
World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Founded in 1948, it works for the attainment by all peoples of the highest
possible level of health. Its constitution came into force on 7 April 1948,
which is celebrated every year as the World Health Day. The collaboration
between WHO and I. R. Iran started in 1955 through an agreement of cooperation.
However, the country office has been operational since 1984. Its main
counterpart in Iran is the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and the
primary objective of this partnership is to provide technical support to the country,
within the overall scope of WHO’s global, regional and
country priorities.
According
to the WHO definition: ”Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity”. WHO recognizes that the health of all peoples is fundamental to the
attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon fullest cooperation of
individuals and states. The constitution of WHO states
that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion,
political belief, economic or social condition”.
Priorities
Globally and in Iran
WHO has six core functions built into
its mandate:
1)Providing
leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where
joint action is needed; 2) Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the
generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; 3) Setting
norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation; 4)
Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options; 5) Providing technical
support, catalyzing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity;
and 6) Monitoring the health situation and assessing health needs.
Global Priorities:
1)
Promoting development; 2) Fostering health security; 3) Strengthening health
systems; 4) Harnessing research, information and evidence; 5) Enhancing
partnerships; and 6) Improving
performance.
The strategic directions of WHO’s work in Iran are:
1.
Promoting health as central to sustainable human and economic development.
2.
Enhancing leadership capacities for reforming the health system.
3.
Applying risk management approaches to effectively deal with behaviour related disorders and conditions.
4.
Addressing the unfinished agenda for communicable diseases.
5.
Promoting a culture of research and technological development.
6.
Strengthening institutional mechanism for effective emergency and humanitarian
action for health.
Main
projects/activities in Iran
The strategic agenda is implemented as
follows:
1.
Facilitate the government’s role and participation in the Social Determinants
of Health by developing a national strategy for reducing health inequities.
2.
Enhance leadership capacities for improving the health system, strengthening
capacity of Ministry of Health in various functions of the health system,
including policy analysis, health planning, health financing, and information
system.
3.
Promote life course approach on control of risk factors of chronic disorders
and communicable diseases.
4.
Promote risk reduction approach in emergency preparedness and response by
increasing national capacities of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
5.
Support and advocate the community-based initiatives to promote a better
quality of life particularly for vulnerable groups.
6.
Support research and innovative programmes for
sustainable development and monitoring health sector performance.
7.
Building proactive partnership between different public and private sectors,
academic institutes, NGOs, and UN agencies.
|
Address: 12th Floor, West
wing, Building of Ministry of Health & Medical Education (next to Abou -Rayhan High School), Simaye Iran St., Phase 5, Sannat
Square, Shahrake Qods,
Tehran, Iran, P.O. Box 14665/1565 Tel: (98-21) 8836
3979–80/8836 3718 E-mail: whoteh@ira.emro.who.int Facsimile: (98-21) 8836 4100 website:
www.whoiran.org, |