World Health Organization

Purpose: The World Health Organization was created to give worldwide guidance in the field of health, to set global standards for health, to cooperate with governments in strengthening national health programs, and to develop and transfer appropriate health technology, information and standards.

Date of Origin: April 7, 1948

Original Membership: 53 countries

Current Membership: 191 countries

Director: Dr Hiroshi Nakajima (Japan)

Staff: 4,000 people

Accomplishments: 
Helped to eradicate smallpox in 1980
Polio is almost eradicated along with guinea-worm
Major efforts have also been taken to curb the spread of HIV

Location: Kobe, Japan.

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