708 



Population problems in many parts of the world have been 

 a major concern of the United Nations for several years, and 

 their rei>ercussions have affected WHO. They arise not only 

 from population increase but are associated with urbaniza- 

 tion, industrialization, and changes in the age structure of 

 the population, and involve questions of family planning and 

 Jhuman reproduction. This complex of difficult problems re- 

 ;sulted in AVHO's establishing a Human Reproduction Unit in 

 1965, About the same time the Assembly authorized the provi- 

 :sion of technical advice on the subject to such member states 

 as requested it. 



This IS only one example of the continuing extension of 

 who's interests. Sometimes the activity is an entirely new 

 venture, as with human reproduction and the even more re- 

 cently created Division for Research in Epidemiology and 

 the Conununication Sciences. At other times it is a more 

 vigorous and comprehensive attack on an old -standing health 

 problem. Typical of this approach are the community water 

 supply programme and the world-wide smallpox eradication 

 campaign, both of wliich were launched in 1965. 



It is, as yet, difficult to measure that achievement in quanti- 

 tative terms. Improved health statistics in many parts of the 

 world are some indications of success, but the mere existence 

 of a service or laboratory can also be evidence of an advance. 



Nevertheless it is possible to recognize certain positive 

 achievements. First amono^ them is the universality of WHO. 

 This is shown by its memoership of 129 states. It is manifest 

 in the system of regional offices serving as foci of advice and 

 action. It is seen again in the network of reference laboratories 

 and services for the collection of epidemiological data. 



Next there are the results of the great campaigns against 

 such diseases as malaria, yaws, and tuberculosis, which have 

 saved inmmierable lives, and been of imnieasuraWe benefit to 

 the economy of many developing countries. 



There is the major contribution which has been made to 

 educational activities of member governments in helping them 

 to raise the total of medical schools in their territories from 

 553 about 1950 to 717 in 1966. Another facet of tliis activity is 

 the granting of fellowships to individuals, who now total some 

 3,500 each year. 



The strengthening of health services, always one of 

 who's primary functions, has extended into the planning 

 of national health services as a concurrent and integral part 

 of economic and social development. And at the local level the 

 development of the basic health services idea is an equally 

 great achievement. 



Then there is the international co-ordination of medical 

 research in certain fields, and the communication and sharing 

 of the results. 



Finally, though the list could be continued, there is the 

 accomplished fact of getting the nations to work together." 



5' Sir John Charles. "Origins. History iind Achievements of the World Health Organiza- 

 tion," British Medical Journal (May 4, 1968), pages 295-6. 



