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Health Organisations

ICSE Grade 10 Biology - Chapter 19

📚 Smart Summary

1. Introduction to Health Organisations

Health Organisations: Organizations that promote health, prevent diseases, and provide healthcare services.

Levels: (1) International, (2) National, (3) State, (4) Local.

Objectives: (1) Disease control, (2) Health education, (3) Research, (4) Emergency response, (5) Policy making.

Importance: Coordinate global health efforts, provide aid during crises, improve healthcare access.

2. World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO: Specialized agency of United Nations. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Establishment: 1948. Motto: 'Health for All'.

Functions: (1) Sets health standards, (2) Coordinates international health work, (3) Provides technical assistance, (4) Monitors disease outbreaks, (5) Promotes research.

Key Programs: (1) Global Polio Eradication Initiative, (2) Tobacco control, (3) HIV/AIDS prevention, (4) Mental health initiatives.

COVID-19 Response: Led global efforts including vaccine distribution through COVAX.

World Health Day: April 7th every year.

Director General: Current: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

3. Red Cross and Red Crescent

Red Cross: International humanitarian organization. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Establishment: 1863 by Henry Dunant.

Functions: (1) Disaster relief, (2) Blood donation, (3) First aid training, (4) Refugee assistance, (5) Health services.

Structure: (1) International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), (2) International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), (3) National societies (Indian Red Cross).

Symbols: Red cross (Christian countries), Red crescent (Muslim countries), Red crystal (neutral).

Nobel Prizes: Received multiple Nobel Peace Prizes for humanitarian work.

Activities in India: Disaster management, blood banks, health camps, youth programs.

4. UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)

UNICEF: UN agency focused on children's rights and well-being. Headquarters: New York, USA.

Establishment: 1946 as United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

Functions: (1) Child nutrition, (2) Immunization, (3) Education, (4) Protection from violence, (5) Emergency aid.

Key Programs: (1) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India, (2) Polio eradication, (3) HIV prevention in children.

Millennium Development Goals: Contributed to reducing child mortality and improving education.

Nobel Prize: Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.

5. National Health Organisations in India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Central government ministry. Formulates health policies.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Apex body for biomedical research. Coordinates research on diseases.

National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW): Training and research in public health.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): Premier medical education and research institute.

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO): Controls HIV/AIDS in India.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): Improves healthcare in rural areas.

6. State and Local Health Organisations

State Health Departments: Implement national health programs at state level.

District Health Offices: Manage healthcare in districts. Run primary health centers.

Primary Health Centers (PHCs): Basic healthcare in rural areas. Provide maternal and child health services.

Community Health Centers (CHCs): Referral centers with specialists.

Urban Health Posts: Healthcare in urban slums.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs): Community health workers in villages.

7. International Health Programs

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Finances programs to combat these diseases.

GAVI Alliance: Improves access to vaccines in developing countries.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Funds global health initiatives, polio eradication, malaria control.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Provides medical aid in conflict zones and disasters.

Rotary International: Involved in polio eradication through PolioPlus program.

8. Role in Disease Control

Epidemic Management: Organizations coordinate response to outbreaks like Ebola, Zika, COVID-19.

Vaccine Development: WHO prequalifies vaccines, ensures safety and efficacy.

Health Education: Promote healthy behaviors, hygiene, nutrition.

Research and Development: Fund research for new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics.

Emergency Response: Provide aid during natural disasters, wars, refugee crises.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

🎯 Test Your Knowledge

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The headquarters of WHO is located in:

2. The Red Cross was founded by:

3. The symbol of Red Cross is:

4. UNICEF focuses on:

5. The year WHO was established is:

6. The organization that provides first aid training is:

7. The program for polio eradication is:

8. The apex body for medical research in India is:

9. Assertion (A): WHO declares global health emergencies. Reason (R): WHO monitors disease outbreaks worldwide.

10. The organization that works for HIV/AIDS control in India is:

11. World Health Day is celebrated on:

12. The organization that provides aid in conflict zones is:

13. The rural healthcare program in India is:

14. The current Director General of WHO is:

15. The organization that received Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work is: