Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XI - n. 1
- March 1998
1998 marks the 50th Anniversary of this great Organization, with which MBC is proud to be affiliated. It is appropriate that we begin our 1998 volume and this Page with an introductory tribute to WHO. THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Basic Principle WHO's mandate The origins of WHO The WHO definition of
health WHO's main functions
WHO structure WHO has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Organization also has six regional offices:
WHO works closely with other Organizations in the UN System and collaborates with:
Achievements and challenges
Just as WHO eradicated smallpox in 1980,
it is at the threshold of eliminating other major diseases in the next few years, such as
poliomyelitis, guinea-wonn disease and leprosy.
CONGRATULATIONS ON EMERGENCY NEWSLETTER The Division of Emergency and
Humanitarian Action of WHO has started a new quarterly newsletter entitled Health in
Emergencies. WHO DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FOREST FIRES According to information received by the World Health Organization, the air pollution caused by the forest fires in Indonesia reached emergency levels and serious health problems are affecting and will continue to affect a large number of people in the region if the fires are not extinguished soon and current meteorological conditions prevail. The longer the exposure to the air pollution, which is mainly caused by the accumulation of fine particles, the more serious the effects will be, particularly for vulnerable groups of the population, like people with chronic respiratory problems, infants and the elderly. In September 1997 only, the number of additional hospital admissions in Sarawak, Malaysia, alone were more than 26000. (At present Brazil and Venezuela are suffering similar fire emergencies.) From the beginning of this environmental disaster, WHO has been concerned by its potential health impact and has been in touch with the health ministries of the countries involved. Through its regional and country offices, the Organization is providing technical services and equipment to cope with the worsening situation, as well as experts to advise the national and local health authorities on the measures to be taken, particularly if the fires persist. WHO endorses the recommendations to lessen the health effects of air pollution. These include wearing respiratory masks, staying indoors as much as possible, keeping windows and doors closed, and seeking medical advice when called for. It should be noted, however, that in view of the small size of the particles, homemade or other commonly available masks do not ensure complete health protection. High concentrations of suspended particulate matter with aerometric below 10 micrometres can readily enter the lower respiratory tract. The health effects of this type of acute pollution include exacerbations of cough and lower respiratory symptoms with resulting increased use of bronchodilatators by asthmatic patients and increases in hospital admissions and daily mortality. In addition to these acute effects, chronic effects such as increased incidence of chronic bronchitis are likely to follow. Incomplete combustion of wood is associated also with the emission of other compounds which exacerbate the health effects of suspended particulate matter. WHO urges the international community and the affected countries to utilize all possible measures to extinguish the fire. N.B. As the WHO Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Treat~ ment of Burns and Fire Disasters, the MBC has put its expertise at the disposal of WHO in this extensive humanitarian emergency. |
