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Lesson Note

Subject: BST

Topic: Health Institutions

Subtopic: Specific Functions of Some Health Institutions

Class: JS3

Term: First

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to state the specific functions of some health institutions such as WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, FOA, EPI, NAFDAC, NDLEA, RED CROSS.

Lesson Summary/Discussions

Previously, we discussed ways of improving our health and general functions of health institutions. However, these Health Institutions have their specific functions which are highlighted below:

Specific Functions of Some Health
Institutions.

The functions of some health bodies or organisations are stated below.

1. World Health Organisation (WHO)
WHO was set up in the year 1945 by diplomats whose aim was to set up of a global health organisation after their meeting. The constitution of WHO came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day.

Functions of World Health Organisation (WHO)

  • They keep the health rate of the world.
  • They provide medical publications or journals.
  • They control drug circulations and prevent disease circulation all over the world.
  • They train health workers and teachers.
  • They take care of sick people all over the world.
  • They assist member nations during emergency.
  • They provide food for refugees
  • They give immunisation against tuberculosis, polio, measles, etc.
  • They give research grant for health trends.

2. United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF was created in 1946 by the United Nations to provide food, clothing and health care to children was done after World War II when children were almost dying of pestilence and starvation.

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the right of every child is realised. They have a global authority to influence decision making and the varieties of partners at grassroots level to form
the most innovative ideas ito reality. That makes them unique among world organisations, and unique
among those working with young people, since nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstone
of human progress.

Functions of UNICEF

  • They work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, diseases and discrimination placed in a child’s path.
  • They advocate for measures to give children the best start in life since proper care at a young age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
  • They provoke girls education by ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum since it benefits all children, both boys and girls.
  • They ensure that children are immunised against common childhood diseases and are well nourished since it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.
  • They help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people since it is right to keep

3. Red Cross Society

Nigerian Red Cross Society was founded in 1960 and its headquarters is in Lagos. It was established by an act of Parliament in 1960 and became the 86th members National Society of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent on February 4th 1961.

Functions of Red Cross Society

  • They train people on how to aid wounded victims.
  • They maintain truce in war front.
  • They fortify students against emergencics.
  • They rehabilitate people of catastrophes.

4. Food and Agricultural Organisation
Food and Agricultural Organisation is a specialised agency of the Uniled Nalions eslablished in 1945. Its headquarter is in Rome.

Functions of FA0

  • They give advice on branches of agriculture such as: fisheries, poultries, grain production, plant production etc.
  • They give out free samples of plants species with high yield.
  • They campaign on the effect of good feeding to good health etc.
  • They provide fertilisers for farmers.

5. National Agency for Food Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
The formation of NAFDAC was inspired by a 1988 World Health Assembly resolution on counterfeit
pharmaceuticals. lt was formed to checkmate illicit and counterfeit products in Nigeria in 1993.

Functions of NAFDAC

  • They control the quality of all forms of food produced in the country.
  • They control the quality of cosmetics produced in the country.
  • They make sure expired drugs are not sold.
  • They control the quality of drugs produced in the country and make sure that the right drugs, foods, water, ete. arc imported or exported into or outside the country respectively.
  • They monitor the production site/environment of each factory, the raw materials used, production process, finished products and storage facilities to avoid contamination at any level.

6. Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI)
lt was established in 1974 through a World Health Assembly resolution on small pox eradication programine.

Functions of EPI

  • They help to make sure that the immunisation progranme gets to the grass root especially the rural ureas.
  • They monitor the policy and dosage of vaccines given to children during immunisation period.
  • They encourage and educate people (both literate and illiterate) on the advantage of being immunised.
  • They run radio and television programmes, seminars and workshops for the facilitators.
  • They act as the middle body between the WHO/UNICEF and the people especially those in the rural areas.

7. United Nation Education Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
The United Nations conference for the establishment of an educational, scientific and cultural organisation was held in London in November 1945. About 44 delegations were present when UNESCO constitution
was adopted,

Functions of UNESCO

  • They sponsor educational programmes.
  • They provide educational equipment for children.
  • They improve our cultures in Africa and other parts of the world.

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