About World Health Organisation (WHO)

• The WHO is the UN specialized agency responsible for coordinating international health efforts. 
• It was created in 1948 as part of the UN. 
• Headquartered in Geneva with 6 regional and 150+ country offices.
• Funded by mandatory dues (16%) and voluntary contributions (84%), with major donors including Germany, the UK, and Gates Foundation.
• The World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Objectives and programs

• Global Health Leadership and Coordination: Monitors and responds to public health issues like climate change, road safety, tobacco use, and genetically modified foods.
• Standard Setting and Technical Guidance: Publishes lists of essential medicines, diagnostic tests, and medical devices. Issues global health guidelines and best practices.
• Vaccination and Disease Eradication Programs: Played a key role in eradicating smallpox, and reducing polio cases by 99%.

Why in News?

• The WHO Pandemic Treaty was adopted as the second legally binding treaty in the WHO’s 75-year history, following the 2003 Tobacco Control Treaty.

Need for the Treaty:

• Vaccine inequity during COVID-19: Rich nations hoarded vaccines, poor countries had limited access.
• The Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness (2021) criticized poor planning, inequality, and lack of coordination.

Key provisions: 

• Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing System: Under it companies receive pathogen samples and genomic data. In return, they must provide 10% of their production to the WHO for free and another 10% at affordable prices.
• Technology Sharing: Countries to promote transfer of know-how to manufacturers in developing countries.
• Public Funding Conditionality: Governments should ensure equitable access to products developed with public funds.
• National Policy Requirements: States must frame policies for access to drugs and diagnostics developed with state funding.