International Nursing Organizations II

The WHO is a specialized United Nations agency that leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage using science-based policies and programs. It provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight infectious diseases and shapes health research agendas while developing norms and standards worldwide.

The WHO develops cost-effective, evidence-based interventions called best buys to prevent and control non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and tobacco use. These include early screening, physical activity promotion, and healthy diet recommendations. The organization also creates guidelines for improving healthcare centers' water, sanitation, and hygiene services to support disease prevention.

The WHO detects, communicates, prevents, and prepares for public health emergencies through its health emergency program. Key measures include infection control practices, surveillance systems, contact tracing, laboratory services, and safe burial protocols. This coordinated approach enables rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks and health crises globally.

The WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme verifies that medicines meet acceptable quality, safety, and efficacy standards before distribution by international procurement agencies. The organization focuses on maintaining fair drug costs, expanding access to vital drugs, and encouraging rational drug use while restricting counterfeit products globally.

The WHO's Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery recommends an interrelated set of policies to help countries ensure nurses and midwives contribute optimally to achieving universal health goals. It prioritizes nursing education, effective recruitment, staff retention, and senior leadership positions for nurses to strengthen healthcare systems.

The WHO's Nursing and Midwifery Global Community of Practice is a virtual networking platform enabling nurses to connect globally with the WHO, other nurses, and essential stakeholders. This platform facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration to advance nursing practice and improve health outcomes internationally.

The WHO's Global Code of Practice reinforces ethical management of healthcare worker recruitment through refined data, information, and global cooperation. This framework ensures fair, transparent recruitment practices while addressing concerns like sexual harassment through global policies that raise awareness among staff, collaborators, donors, and beneficiary populations.