Public Health: The Japanese NGOs - Essay Example

Through the turn of centuries and generations, it is quite evident that in this twenty-first century, matters concerning health have become a responsibility that is shared and which involves collective defense against transnational threats and equitable access to essential care. Its establishment is dated on April 7 1948 and its headquarters is based in Switzerland, Geneva to be precise. WHO has played a key role in smallpox eradication and it’s currently responsible for dealing with communicable diseases, in particular tuberculosis and malaria, HIV/AIDS, reproductive and sexual health, aging, and developing.

The objective of WHO is “the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health” (Reich 42). It is identified by six main objectives: provision of technical support, building of sustainable institution capacity and catalyzing change, assessing health trends and monitoring health situations, impacting the research agenda, and stimulating the generation and dissemination of valuable information (Reich 65). WHO provides leadership on matters that pertain to critical health situations and it is also known to get into partnerships where a joint venture is needed.

It also sets standards, and norms, and monitors and promotes their implementation. Opinions vary from one individual to another and based on my opinion I would say that those who contribute the most funds to global health should have the most say basically because the track record through their management has been to standard and has had little qualms. The money that they fund is allocated to different programs which are very beneficial to the countries in the United Nations program. These funds are allocated to thirteen areas.

Listing these areas includes reducing the economic, health, and social burden of communicable diseases, combating diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, reduction of morbidity and mortality rates, promoting development and health, and preventing factors brought about by alcohol and drugs, provide good leadership, strengthen governance and partner up with countries. If other individuals are left to possibly make decisions without consultation, problems like embezzlement of the fund are most likely to occur because some people are more concerned with self-enrichment compared to sustaining more precious life.

An NGO is an organization that is legally constituted that is brought into existence by legal or natural persons and it acts independently from the government (Company 89). The term was got by the United Nations. NGO is usually used to refer to organizations that are not interested in making a profit and do not form part of the government. In some instances, the government funds NGOs, and in such cases, it is expected to maintain its non-governmental status and this is by excluding members of the government as well as its representatives from the organization.

There are many health-related NGOs, a good example is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They are considered the most prestigious among the world's humanitarian NGOs. This movement has several fundamental principles and includes impartiality, independence, humanity, neutrality, universality, voluntary service, and service to the entire country. Another NGO is Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and its functions are similar to those of the Red Cross and include providing health aid to victims of natural disasters as well as victims of war.