Country focus

"People matter most."

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, November 2006

Mission

The country focus policy gears WHO's operations to the needs of Member States at country level. The success of the policy is linked to other WHO processes aimed at improving the performance of the WHO Secretariat overall, in particular the change in resources in order to increase the Organization's impact on health and development at country level by providing support for countries to develop their health systems.

Components of the Country focus policy

Country cooperation strategies. These reflect WHO's medium-term strategy for cooperation with Member States. By the end of 2007, CCSs will have been formulated in close to 140 countries.

Core competencies and capacities of country teams. Ensuring that the capacities of WHO country teams are sufficiently strong to carry out the core functions of the Organization at country level, as agreed with the Member State.

Coherent programmatic and technical support from regional offices and headquarters. This component aims to provide high quality, well coordinated technical support to Member States, in line with country cooperation strategies.

Effective functioning of country offices. This component aims to improve administrative systems and delegation of authority so that WHO functions effectively at country level. It should be considered in conjunction with current managerial reforms across the Organization.

Information and knowledge management to and from countries. Ensuring up-to-date information within the Secretariat on countries and good information flows from country offices, regional offices and headquarters.

Working with organizations of the United Nations system and development partners. This component is geared to strengthening WHO's work with partners, particularly in relation to advocacy and to brokering relationships around health and development.

Events

Fourth Global Meeting of Heads of WHO Country Offices with the Director-General and Regional Directors

Country focus policy discussed at the 116th session of the Executive Board
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WHO support to countries for scaling up essential interventions towards universal coverage in Africa
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	Contact information
	World Health Organization Department of Country Focus 20 Avenue Appia 1211, Geneva 27 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 791 1996 Fax: +41 22 791 4843 Email: countryfocus@who.int