The World Health Organization (WHO), which was established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system. Its main functions are to provide technical cooperation to member countries for development of health services and to direct and coordinate international health work.

WHO’s constitution describes health as “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The constitution also sets the organization’s objective as the attainment by all peoples the highest possible level of health, Specific objectives of WHO include:
• integrating health and human development in public policies;
• ensuring equitable access to health services;
• promoting and protecting health; and
• preventing and controlling specific health problems.

The organization consists of member states associated for the purpose of cooperation among themselves and with others to promote and protect the health of all peoples. Among the “others” are nongovernmental and voluntary organizations engaged in the promotion of health and the provision of health care. In 1948, WHO had less than 60 Member States; today it has over 190 member