WHO: World Health Organization

About the committee

The World Health Organisation is the overarching authority for health within the UN. As well as providing leadership on global public and private health matters, shaping the health research agenda, creating policy solutions, and monitoring health trends, the organisation also works to provide direct technical support to countries. Through its six point agenda, it aims to address international health challenges through promoting development, fostering health security, strengthening health systems, harnessing research and information, enhancing partnerships and improving its own performance.

Topics

Topic A: The question of establishing a framework for the management and prevention of chronic disease

A high proportion of international aid money is spent combatting communicable diseases in the developing world, particularly through massive vertical interventions for AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. However, more and more, the greatest health burden is being felt through chronic illnesses: diseases of long duration and slow progression. Contrary to popular belief, chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes do not predominantly afflict the rich. In reality, more than 80 percent of chronic disease deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Furthermore, due to their ongoing nature, chronic illnesses create a substantial financial burden on households, often leading to a worsening spiral of poverty. Despite these factors, chronic diseases remain largely unmentioned in development priorities, such as aid and the Millennium Development Goals. Enacting change requires the international community to determine the best balance of resource allocation on health matters, and the creation and implementation of effective policies.

Topic B: The question of preventing transplant tourism and illicit trafficking of human organs

When it comes to the ratio of available organs to transplant patients, the world is suffering a vast deficit. In responding to such demand, an illicit commercial market has emerged through organ trafficking and transplant tourism. While World Health Assembly guidelines stipulate criteria for transplantation that discourages live and paid donations, underground organ trades are becoming more prevalent. Estimates suggest that organ trafficking accounts for five to 10 percent of kidney transplants performed each year, with most transactions occurring in developing nations where poor and vulnerable populations are often exploited. The problem calls for a greater response from the World Health Organisation, both in terms of articulating an expanded and comprehensive position on the issue, and developing strategies to address the root causes of transplant tourism, namely a low supply of organ donations.