WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)

NEWS: Argentina has withdrawn from the World Health Organisation (WHO) following a one-year notification period

ABOUT

• It cited concerns over national sovereignty and dissatisfaction with WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The WHO Constitution lacks an exit clause
  • Article 56 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties regulates withdrawals (except for the US)

About World Health Organisation (WHO)

• WHOà Specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for international public health.
• WHO Constitutionà drafted in 1946
• Officially commenced operations on 7 April 1948àobserved annually as World Health Day.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
• Functions through six regional offices.
• India falls under the South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), based in New Delhi.
• Currently has 192 Member States (including India).

Governance

• World Health Assembly (WHA)àMain policy-making bodyà a 34-member Executive Board implements WHA decisions, and a Director-General leads administrative operations.
• It is funded by two primary sources—
• Mandatory dues paid by Member States based on wealth and population.
• Funds from Member States or partners
• Includes the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar and the Global Initiative on Digital Health launched during India’s G20 Presidency.