History of WHO in the Western Pacific

The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific was established in 1951. From its earliest years, WHO worked hard to address the numerous health issues facing the Region. In the 1950s, malaria was widespread. Tuberculosis affected virtually every country and area. Leprosy was prevalent almost everywhere. Cholera, plague and bilharziasis posed threats in some countries. Infant mortality rates were a major concern. The median life expectancy in many countries was somewhere between 40 and 50 years. At that time, many of WHO’s activities in the region were reactive efforts to provide support to countries to combat outbreaks of communicable diseases. But even at this early stage, the Regional Office was well aware that supporting health services should be an important part of its mission. Thus, by the end of the first decade of the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, the emphasis had begun to shift to addressing problems of inadequate health services and the chronic shortage of trained personnel.

 

The health status of the Western Pacific Region has undoubtedly improved during the 70 years since the founding of WHO in 1948. WHO has made significant contributions to the development of health systems in almost all countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region. Throughout the Region, basic health infrastructures are in place to meet health needs at national and community levels. With the exception of a few least developed countries, health for all targets have been or are close to being achieved. But despite WHO’s many achievements in the Western Pacific Region, all countries and areas, to varying degrees, continue to face problems of equity of access, quality and efficiency. Changes in disease patterns, urbanization, ageing populations, technological advances and the restructuring of global economic and political systems will lead to a new set of health challenges in the future.

 

The Regional Office continues to represent WHO in the Western Pacific region. Our purpose is to lead the regional response to public health issues on all fronts - medical, technical, socio-economic, cultural, legal and political - towards the achievement of WHO's global health mission. Working together with a broad spectrum of partners from all sectors of society, WHO in the Western Pacific is involved in numerous public health and health promotion activities. Our story has been one of adapting to changing circumstances and of responding to the health needs of the countries and areas of the Region. Above all, WHO in the Western Pacific Region strives to remain relevant to the needs of a region that has changed out of all recognition since our earliest days.