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World Health Organization

The World Health Organization, a U.N. agency, was founded in 1946. The Czech Republic became a member in 1993 as one of the successor states of the former Czechoslovakia and was among founding members of the Organization.

The headquarters of the WHO is based in Geneva and the Organization comprises 193 members, divided into 6 regional groupings. Since 9th November 2006, the position of the Director-General has been held by Dr. Margaret Chan, whenthe World Health Assembly appointed Dr Chan for a second five-year term in May 2012. WHO European Regional Office is based in Copenhagen, where the office of the regional director is held by Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab from 1 February 2010.

The tasks of WHO include the elaboration of health policies, consultancy in accordance with the needs of individual member states, assist with establishment of national health policies, monitor public health trends, assess national public health systems, develop and advance technologies, methods and mechanism for monitoring of diseases and for the management of public health services. WHO plays a crucial role in decreasing incidence of infectious diseases and in providing expertise throughout the process of epidemiological activities from the moment of disease outbreak. In addition, WHO is becoming a significant partner in the fight against bioterrorism and in other activities related to crisis management and humanitarian aid.

The WHO agenda could be summarized under following points:

  • Promoting development
  • Fostering health security
  • Strengthening health systems
  • Harnessing research, information and evidence
  • Enhancing partnerships
  • Improving performance

WHO activities are directed towards the fulfillment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These were set in Millennium Declaration (2000) and embody the commitment of U.N. member states to fight poverty, increase living standards and provide assistance to developing countries.

The principal body of WHO is the World Health Assembly (WHA). Yearly sessions of the WHA take place in May in Geneva and are attended by Ministers of Health from all member states. The main tasks of the WHA include deciding on the programme and budget matters for subsequent biennium and dealing with important health issues. WHA sessions are organized into plenary meetings and two technical committees. The WHO Executive Board (EB) holds sessions twice a year and is composed of national experts. It has 34 members that are elected for three year terms from among WHO member states. The main role of the Executive Board is to facilitate the work of the WHA and to implement its decisions and strategies.

WHO Liaison Office in the Czech Republic

The WHO Liaison Office in the Czech Republic is based in the U.N. house in Prague. It is administered by the Liaison Officer MUDr. Alena Šteflová. WHO Liaison Office facilitates mutual information sharing between WHO and the Czech Republic. It is primarily concerned with health and health systems. Moreover, it focuses on the distribution of WHO materials and publications to its partners. The Office should also contribute to formulation of health policies at both national and regional levels. This task includes fulfilling obligations under treaties of cooperation between WHO/EURO and Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, signed biannually, with respect to implementation of common projects.

WHO division at PM Geneva

The WHO division at Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic cooperates with WHO governing bodies. We also participate at coordination meetings of the European Union where common EU positions are decided and then submitted to WHO. During the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Czech Republic has been leading all EU negotiations and acts as a main partner to the WHO.

WHO meetings in the second half of 2013

A number of meetings and consulations are held in this period. In September 2013, the Sixty-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place in Turkey. In October the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic in Geneva participated in the Launch of the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. In her intervention, the Permanent Representative stressed that mental health is a priority in the Public Health for the Czech Republic. Furthermore, she informed about the proces of development of the national Strategy for Psychiatric Care Reform that is fully in line with both the Global and the European Mental Health Action Plan.

The EU supported the WHO Regional Committee for Europe resolution on the health situation in Ukraine

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In the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine, emphasis is also placed on its effects on health and health systems. A Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place on 10 May. During this Special Session, 43 of the 53… more ►

Czech Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch addressed the World Health Assembly

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The 73rd session of the World Health Assembly took place on 18 and 19 May 2020. For the first time in the history of the World Health Organization (WHO), its supreme governing body met through a videoconference. more ►

Czech Republic donated $250 thousand to fight against coronavirus

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The Czech Republic decided to join in global efforts in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19 and made a contribution of CZK 6 million (approx. USD 250 thousand) to the World Health Organization. more ►

Ambassador Gajdušek met the WHO Director-General

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Petr Gajdušek, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, met Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)… more ►

Czech Permanent Mission has joined the "Walk the Talk" to promote global health

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World Health Organisation (WHO) has promoted global health on Sunday, May 20th, in Geneva as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations. The event called "Walk the Talk - The Health for All Challenge" was organised by WHO, along with the City of… more ►

Minister of Health Adam Vojtech led the Czech delegation at the 71st World Health Assembly

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Health Minister Adam Vojtech was the head of the Czech delegation at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 20-22 May 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated its 70th anniversary and entered into a new chapter leading to universal… more ►

Czech Assistance to Healthcare in Georgia Featured High in the WHO Meeting

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On January 24, 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) held a briefing on its activities in Georgia. According to Dr. David Sergeenko, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, investments in health care have increased from 1… more ►

WHO: Czechia shared experiences with the psychiatric care reform

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On 9-10 October 2017, the World Health Organization held a Forum on mental health in Geneva. During this year's forum, WHO staff also introduced a new mhGAP mobile application. For more on WHO mental health agenda, see http://www.who… more ►

Visit of Czech Minister of Health M. Ludvík to Geneva

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A delegation of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic led by Minister Miloslav Ludvík paid a visit to CERN on 18 April. Minister Ludvík was received by the Director General of CERN, Ms. Fabiola Gianotti, and was given an expert… more ►

WHO – EB 136 adopted a decision submitted by the Czech Republic

The WHO Executive Board held its 136th session from 25 January to 3 February. more ►