As A Health Care Professional For International Health Care
As A Health Care Professional For An International Health Care Network
As a health care professional for an international health care network, you plan to visit 7 foreign countries this year as part of a communicable disease prevention program. Before you travel, you need to provide information to your assistants about the health care services in the countries you will be visiting, as well as on the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency that is concerned with international public health. Research using the Library and other resources to address the following in 400 words : Provide examples that show how the WHO is involved with global health care assistance. Explain the role that the WHO plays in the prevention of communicable diseases. Select 7 foreign countries, and briefly describe the communicable disease situation in the selected countries.
Include your statistics in a table format. What are the possible sources of financing for programs like the one in which you are involved? Be sure to support your information by citing at least 2 scholarly references using APA format.
Paper For Above instruction
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a pivotal role in global health care assistance by coordinating international efforts to combat diseases and improve health standards worldwide. An exemplary illustration of WHO's involvement includes its response to infectious disease outbreaks such as the Ebola virus in West Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic. During these crises, WHO mobilized resources, provided technical guidance, coordinated efforts among nations, and supported healthcare systems to contain and manage the outbreaks effectively (World Health Organization, 2020). Additionally, WHO assists countries in developing national health policies, strengthening health systems, and deploying vaccination campaigns, which are critical in controlling communicable diseases globally.
The WHO is instrumental in preventing communicable diseases primarily through international surveillance, the formulation of guidelines for disease prevention, and the promotion of immunization programs. Its International Health Regulations (IHR) serve as a binding framework to prevent and respond to the international spread of diseases. For example, during the H1N1 influenza pandemic, WHO issued strategic recommendations that guided nations in preparedness and response, illustrating its role in fostering global cooperation (WHO, 2019). Furthermore, WHO collaborates with various partners to support disease eradication efforts, such as smallpox eradication, which remains a model for similar campaigns like polio eradication initiatives.
Regarding the communicable disease situation in selected countries, the following table summarizes the current status in seven nations:
| Country | Communicable Disease Situation | Key Diseases |
|---|---|---|
| India | High burden of tuberculosis and cholera outbreaks | Tuberculosis, Cholera |
| Nigeria | Malaria remains endemic; recent measles outbreaks | Malaria, Measles |
| Brazil | Yellow fever outbreaks sporadically; dengue endemic | Dengue, Yellow Fever |
| Indonesia | High prevalence of hepatitis B and typhoid | Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| South Africa | HIV/AIDS prevalence high; tuberculosis co-infection | HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis |
| Thailand | Emerging cases of Zika and chikungunya | Zika, Chikungunya |
| Russia | Increase in sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis | STIs, Tuberculosis |
Funding for such international health programs often comes from multiple sources. These include contributions from member countries through assessed and voluntary contributions, philanthropic foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and international aid agencies like the Global Fund. Additionally, partnerships with private sector entities and non-governmental organizations support financing efforts. For instance, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) provides substantial funding to immunization programs in low-income countries, facilitating disease prevention efforts (Smith & Roberts, 2021). Such diverse funding streams are essential to sustaining and expanding global health initiatives targeted at the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
References
- World Health Organization. (2019). Influenza (Seasonal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
- World Health Organization. (2020). Ebola response. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ebola#tab=tab_1
- Smith, J., & Roberts, A. (2021). Global health financing mechanisms: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Public Health, 66, 123-134.