Assessing the World Health
Organization's Response to the H1N1
Looking at the role of the
World Health Organization (WHO) with regard to H1N1, there is a credibility
factor. At the same time, there is a fine line between panic triggered by fear
and complacency resulting from indifference regarding infectious diseases.
"Between the extremes of
panic and complacency lies the solid ground of vigilance." Dr. Margaret
Chan - Director General, World Health Organization. (1)
Recapping the series of events
that led to the declaration of a pandemic may prove important with regard to
assessing the WHO's response to H1N1.
Where and when did the H1N1
virus appear to originate?
"The 2009 outbreak began
in Mexico ...when the disease
finally began to move beyond Mexico
The following recap regarding
the spread of the H1N1 virus will reveal that at this time, concern on the part
of the WHO appears to have been justified.
"World Health Organization
(WHO) records indicate that on April 26, there were 38 cases of the new virus -
18 in Mexico and 20 in the United States
For those who are unfamiliar
with the terms, epidemic and pandemic, further clarification may be of value
with respect to comprehending the serious nature of this particular infectious
disease.
"Epidemic is the
classification given to a disease that appears as new cases in a given human
population, during a given period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is
'expected', based on recent experiences." (4)
"Pandemic is the
classification given to an epidemic that spreads across a large region - a
country, continent or even worldwide." (5)
Briefly summarizing the history
of events leads one back to the question of panic versus complacency, in the
light of vigilance and thus the role of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Is mass panic or mass
complacency justified with regard to H1N1 or any other infectious disease? Is
the vigilant WHO, the only health watchdog for the world? Is there yet another
level of accountability?
Understanding what the WHO is
and what it, as an organization represents to the world, is important in
assessing their response to H1N1.
"The World Health
Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts
as a coordinating authority on international public health." (6)
When and where did the WHO
originate?
"Established on 7 April,
1948, and headquartered in Geneva , Switzerland , the agency inherited the mandate
and resources of its predecessor, the Health Organization, which had been an
agency of the League of Nations ." (7)
Who is above the WHO in terms
of the professional accountability of this organization? To whom is the WHO
accountable?
"The World Health
Organization is an agency of the United Nations and as such, shares a core of
common personnel policy with other agencies." (8)
What this suggests with regard
to the declaration of a pandemic, more specifically, the actual spread of the
H1N1 virus, is that the WHO is directly accountable to the United Nations.
Understanding the WHO's basic
objective is also important in terms of assessing their response to H1N1.
"The WHO's constitution
states that its objective 'is the attainment by all peoples of the highest
possible level of health'. Its major task is to combat disease, especially key
infectious diseases, and to promote the general health of the people of the
world." (9)
Vigilance on the part of the
WHO is essential with regard to the detection of any infectious disease
process that has the potential to affect masses of people. The WHO through its
vigilance detected what might have proven to turn into a world health disaster.
Possibly, detection of the H1N1 might have taken place earlier.
"It came to the world's
attention in April, although there is now evidence to suggest, with the benefit
of hindsight, that Mexico
This leads to the question of
whether H1N1, as a serious, infectious disease was discovered soon enough. Would
it have been possible to prevent this virus from spreading beyond the epidemic
stage and progressing to a pandemic stage?
Looking back or assessing any
health related scenario in retrospect, is merely one method of determining
whether an organization has viable credibility.
For those interested in the
WHO, their role regarding global health concerns and their current
recommendations with respect to H1N1, further information is available on the
following web site:
Are you assessing the WHO's
role in H1N1? Stay informed. Your insight, thoughts and data input may prove to
be important.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Op. Cit., report.pdf
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