INTERNATIONAL NURSING ROLE OF ICN AND WHO

1. INTRODUCTION
International council of Nursing and world health organization are not open to
them as individuals. Members of the ICN are national nursing associations of countries,
and membership in a national nursing association that is a member of the ICN qualifies
them for participation in the many activities and programs of the ICN. Liewise members
of the !"# are at the government level, opportunities are open to individuals as heath
professionals to participate in woring assignments in various parts of the world and to
utilize the programs and resources of the organization.
It is not difficult to discuss the role of the ICN in international health form a
nursing perspective since it is an association of nurses, managed by nurses, and
financed by nurses.
$he !"#, in contrast, is an organization of may health disciplines% nevertheless,
nursing has an active role within !"# and It&s influences felt in numerous ways in all
areas of the world.
2. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES
$he international council of nurses, founded in '()) by Mrs. *edford +enwic, is
a federation of non,political and self governing national nurses associations. $he head
quarters are in -eneva, .witzerland. $he main purpose of the ICN is to provide a
means through which the national associations can share their interests in the
promotion of health and care of the sic. -reat emphasis has been placed upon non,
discrimination.
a. Aims

$o develop self governing principles among nurses under nurse
leadership.
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$o develop a profession that would raise the ethical and social status of
nurses.
b. Purposes
/urpose was to provide a means through which national association can share
their interests in the promotion of health and care of the sic.
c. Objectives
$o promote the development of Nurse&s 0ssociation.
$o assist National Nurses association to improve the status of nurses
within their countries.
$o assist National nurse association to improve the standard and
competence of nursing.
$o .erve as authorities voice for nurses and nursing internationally
d. The Governing Body
$he governing body of the ICN is the Council of National 1epresentatives which
is made up of the ICN "onorary #fficers and the presidents of the national member
associations. $he council meets at least every other year and once every four years at
the time of the ICN congress. Current administrations e2ecuted by the honorary officers,
wor at the headquarters is carried on by a staff of clerical and e2pert nursing advisor
personnel.
$he ICN /ublishes the international Nursing 1eview on a quarterly basis. $he
Newsletter, which is published ten time a year, gives news of the ICN and the National
member 0ssociations.
0ll nurses can become members of the ICN but not as individuals. $he individual
nurse becomes a member if her 3 his national nurses association is a member of the
ICN. Nurses in Indian become members of the ICN when they become members of the
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$N0I. 0ffiliation fees of this membership are paid form a proportion of the membership
fees paid to the $N0I.
Membership, in the ICN through the $N0I offers various benefits to your as an
individual nurse. 0 limited number of nursing student, may have their e2penses paid in
order to attend the congresses as observers. 0mong benefits to the graduate nurse are
attendance of international congresses or conferences, the ICN e2change of privileges
programme, professional centre. Nurses may receive publications about development in
nursing and nursing education around the world. $his helps the nurse become aware of
being professionally related to international organizations such as the 4nited Nations
and the !orld "ealth #rganization.
Activities
Maing the code of nurse.
!orldwide accepted definition of a nurse
0 boo of ethics 5$he nurses 6ilemma7.
/olicy statement of health and social issue.
Maintain a register of professional qualification of people.
0rrange e2change programme for study 8 employment.
Council meets one in two years and the ICN congress meets once in four
years.
Conducting seminars around the world to maintain relationship with other
group to diseases and mental health problems. 0ll $N0I members can
become member of ICN.
/ublishing a number of professional periodicals from it&s headquarters
-eneva. $he bi,monthly official 9ournal and 5international Nursing review7 are
important 9ournals lead in more than ':: countries.
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(i) The Natioa! Associatio
0ctivities of the ICN are planned by the member associations, their elected
representatives and the staff at headquarters appointed or approved by ICN&s *oard of
6irectors, Collectively the member association, and their representatives set goals for
nursing education, practice, and research and authorize the appointed staff to utilize
resources to assist member associations, singly and collectively, in ways would
enhance or strengthen their development. 0ll aspects of ICN&s programs and activities
contribute directly or indirectly to the attainment of this ob9ective, the development of
strong national nursing associations.
(ii) E"#catio a" $%actice
$he ICN has always given, and is continuing to give, high priority to assisting
national nursing associations through programs related to the establishment and
updating of standards for nursing education and practice. "igh technology in medical
treatment and the increased understanding of primary health care needs in the world
are bringing into focus ethical nursing questions and values relative to patient care,
necessitating a careful review of standards of nursing practice. $he ICN&s definition of
;nurse& has been translated into many languages and is used broadly in assisting
nursing associations with curriculum development for basic and university programs of
nursing education.
ICN staff frequently participate in worshops and seminars of invitation form
member associations. ICN supports the !"# goal of 5"ealth for 0ll by year <:::
through primary "ealth care7 and in collaboration with it&s member associations in
endeavoring% to influence and mobilize nurses and the nursing service countries to be
more effective in meeting the needs of the community through primary health care.
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iii. Socia! a" Ecoo&ic We!'a%e o' N#%ses
$he ICN wors with other international organizations, particularly the
international labour #rganization =IL#> and the !orld "ealth #rganization, in promoting
the status of nurses. In ')?? an international conference was promoting the status of
nurses. In ')?? an international conference was convinced by the !"#3IL# with active
involvement and Co,#peration form the ICN, leading to the adoption of a series of
conventions and recommendations pertaining to conditions of employment, life, and
wor of nursing personnel ICN staff monitor the activities of the IL# in -eneva and
endeavor to share pertinent information with it&s member associations through a
regularly published newsletter, the socio @ economic news.
a. The cha(i( )atte%s o' #%si(
Lie any other professional courses, nursing courses too has undergone many
changes form basic training syllabus to super specialties within given area of nursing
vocational opportunities are more new for many reasonsA
"ealth needs of society
0wareness of heath by people and society.
New developments in medicine
International trends in the nursing profession.
-overnment support to health programmes.
Increased member of private practioners
B2pansion of community health services.
Changes in nursing education
Nursing career as economical independent career.
1ecognition and acceptance by the people.
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N#%si( Se%vices
$he function of hospital nurse is comprehensive. .he is actively involved directly
with patient giving nursing care% health teaching rehabilitation and services to the
patients.
/osition of a nurse after receiving nursing qualification is%
'. .taff Nurse
<. In,Charge nurse 3!ard .ister.
C. .upervisor Nurse 3 6epartment .ister.
D. 0ssistant Nursing .uperintendent 3 0ssociate 6irector in Nursing
E. Nursing .uperintendent
F. In @ .ervice Bducation 6irector
?. Clinical nurse specialist.
(. Nurse 0nesthetist.
). Nurse 1esearch
':. /rivate 6uty Nurse
N#%si( E"#catio
#pportunities to further qualification in a school of nursing, several avenues are
open especially in large institutions.
0u2iliary Nursing.
6iploma in Nursing
/ost Certificate in Nursing leading to *..c.=Nursing>.
.pecialization fields , Medical .urgical Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing,
4rology Nursing, /ediatric Nursing, #ncology Nursing Neurology,
Neurosurgery Nursing, #phthalmic Nursing, /sychiatric Nursing and
Community "ealth Nursing.
*accalaureate Nursing =*..c.,>
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/h.6.in Nursing
*. +!#e)%it 'o% F#t#%e actio
/riorities for setting directions and activities for the ICN.
'. 6eveloping the role and programs of the national nurse&s associations for
influencing the development of health policy, standard setting for nursing
education, and practice, developing appropriate research activities and
programme development for socio,economic welfare appropriate to that
country.
<. Influencing the development of policy affecting health and all heath worers
through wor with the !"#, IL#, 4NICB+, and other international bodies.
C. Maintaining the impetus of the socio @ economic welfare program for nursing
D. Implementing selected programs of international organizations as they relater
to national nurse&s associations and ICN&s priorities.
E. 6eveloping efforts to convey realistic and positive image of today&s nurses to
the media.
F. Maintaining lins with other nursing groups
?. 1eviewing the ICN code for Nurses to ensure continued relevance.
(. Monitoring legislative issues of importance to nursing and nurses.
). +ocusing ICN /ublications and program efforts on these priority areas.
,. THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANI-ATION
$he world organization was established as a specialized agency of the united
nations in ')D( in -eneva, .witzerland, the current home of the headquarters.
It was in these troubled time that constitution of the !"# was formulated the
preamble of that historic document given evidence to the concerns for social 9ustice on
which the organization was founded. It&s succinent statement of belief is well nown.
5the en9oyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of fundamental rights
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of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or
social condition7.
A. O%(ai.atio a" A"&iist%atio
$he !"# Consists of three principal organ% the !orld "ealth 0ssembly, the
B2ecutive *oard and .ecretariat.
a. The Wo%!" Hea!th Asse&*!/
$his is the 5"ealth /arliament7 of Nations and the supreme governing body of the
organization. It meets annually, usually in may, and generally at the headquarters in
-eneva, but form time to time in other countries. $he assembly is composed of
delegates representing member states each of which has one vote.
F#ctio o' the Hea!th Asse&*!/
I. $o determine international health policy and programmes.
II. $op review the wor of the past year.
III. $o approve the budget needed for the following year.
IG. $o elect member states to designate to designate a person to serve for three
years on the B2ecutive *oard and to replace the retiring members.
*. E0ec#tive +oa%"
$he *oard had originally '( members each designated by a member state.
.ubsequently the number was raised to <D and C:. $he health assembly increased the
membership for C: to C', providing that no fewer than three are to be elected from each
of the !"# regions. $he members of the *oard are to be 5technically qualified in the
feld of health7, they are designated by, but don not represent their governments. #ne
third of the membership is renewed every year, generally in Hanuary and shortly after
the meeting of the world health assembly in May. $he main wor of the board is to give
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effect to the decisions and policies of the assembly. $he board also has power to tae
action itself in an emergency such as epidemics, earth @ quaes and foods where
immediate actions is needed.
c. The Sec%eta%iat
$he secretariat is headed by the director -eneral who is the chief technical and
administrative officer of the organization. $he primary function of the !"# secretariat is
to provide member states with technical and managerial support for their national health
development programmes. !hile in ')D(, !"# staff counted <E: persons, the
organization in ')(E counted DD?E international public servants. 0$ !"# headquarters
in -eneva, there are E assistant director -enerals each of whom is responsible for the
wor of such divisions as may form time to time be assigned to him by the director
general. #n C' 6ecember, ')(E the !"# .ecreatriat comprised of the following
divisions.
'. 6ivision of Bpidemiological surveillance and "ealth .ituation and trend
assessment.
<. 6ivision of Communicable diseases.
C. 6ivision of Gector *iology and Control
D. 6ivision of Bnvironmental "ealth.
E. 6ivision of /ublic information and education for health.
F. 6ivision of Mental "ealth
?. 6ivision of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative technology.
(. 6ivision of .trengthening of "ealth .ervice
). 6ivision of +amily "ealth.
':. 6ivision of Non,communicable 6iseases.
''. 6ivision of "ealth Manpower 6evelopment
'<. 6ivision of information systems support
'C. 6ivision of /ersonnel and -eneral .ervices.
'D. 6ivision of *udget and +inance.
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+. O*1ectives
$he ob9ective of the !"# is the attainment by all peoples of the highest level of
health which is set out in the preamble of the constitution. $he preamble of the
constitution states%
5"ealth is a sate of complete physical, mental and social well being and
merely the absence of diseases of infirmity.
$he en9oyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being without distribution of race, religion,
political belief, economic and social condition.
$he health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and
security and is dependent upon the fullest co,operation of individuals and
states.
$he achievement of any state in the pro)motion and protection of health is
of value to all.
4nequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and
control of disease, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.
"ealthy development of the child is of basic importance% the ability to live
harmonlously in a changing total environment is essential to such
development.
$he e2tension to all people of the benefits of medical, psychological and
related nowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.
Informed opinion and active co,operation on the part of the public are of
the most importance in the improvement of the health of the health of the
people.
-overnments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which
can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures7.
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$he !"# is unique among the 4N .pecialized 0gencies in that has it&s own
constitution, won governing bodies, own membership and own budget. It is part of, but
not subordinate to the 4nited Nations.
C. F#ctios o' the WHO
!"#&s first constitutional is to act as the directing and coordinating authority on
all international health wor. $he !"# has specific responsibilities for establishing and
promoting international standards in the field of health.
i. $%evetio a" Cot%o! o' s)eci'ic Diseases
0n important activity of !"# is epidemiological surveillance of
communicable diseases.
Member states can also mae use of the 5!"# Bmergency .cheme for
Bpidemics7 whenever necessary.
$he aim of international heath regulations is to ensure ma2imum security
against international spread of disease with the minimum interference with
world traffic.
$he !"# has also paid attention in it&s programme of wor to non,
communicable disease problems such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
genetic disorders, mental disorders, drug addiction and dental diseases.
$he activities of !"# have also branched out into the fields of vector
biology and control, immunology, quality control of drugs and biological
products, drug evaluation and monitoring and health laboratory technology as
these activities are relevant to the control of both communicable and non
communicable diseases.
Immunization against common diseases of childhood is now a priority
programme of the !"#.
ii. Deve!o)&et o' Co&)%ehesive Hea!th Se%vices
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!"#&s most important single function is to promote and support national
health policy development and the development of comprehensive national
health programmes.
$he broad field of endeavor encompasses a wide variety of activities such
as organizing health systems based on primary health care, the development
of health manpower and utilization, building of long,term national capability,
particularly in the areas of health infrastructure development and managerial
capabilities and health services research.
!"#&s main activities in ')(: were towards promoting national, regional
and global strategies for the attainment of "ealth for 0ll by <::: 0.6.
iii. Fa&i!/ Hea!th
+amily health is one of the ma9or programme activities of !"# since
')?:, and is broadly subdivided into maternal and child health care, human
reproduction, nutrition and health education.
$he chief concern is improvement of the quality of life of the family as a
unit.
iv. Evi%o&eta! Hea!th
/romotion of environmental health has always been an important activity
of !"#.
!"# advises governments on national programmes for the provision of
basic sanitary services. 1ecent activities are directed to protection of the
quality of air, water and food% health conditions of wor, radiation protection
and early identification of new hazards originating from new technological
developments.
0 number of programmes have been developed such as the 5!"#
Bnvironmental "ealth Criteria /rogramme7 and 5!"# Bnvironmental "ealth
Monitoring /rogramme7 towards improving environmental health.
v. Hea!th Statistics
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+rom ')D?, !"# has been concerned with the dissemination of a wide
variety of morbidity and mortality statistics relating to health problems.
$he data is published in the =a> !eely Bpidemiological 1ecord, =b>
"ealth .tatistics Iuarterly and =c> !orld "ealth .tatistics 0nnual.
1eaders interested in current data may obtain if from the chief statistics
dissemination of statistical information, !"#, -eneva.
$he Ninth 1evision of IC6 came into effect from '
st
Hanuary JJ. 0ssistance
is also given to countries in the improvement of their meJJ records, and in the
planning and operating national health information systems.
vi. +io23e"ica! Resea%ch
$he !"# does not itself do research, but stimulates and co,ordinating
research wor. It has established a world,wide networ of JJ collaborating
centers, besides awarding grants to research worers a research institutions
for promoting research.
.i2 topical diseases =Malaria, .chistosomiaisis, $rypanosomiasis, filarias,
leishmaniasis and leprosy> are the target of the !"# special programme for
1esearch and $raining in $ropical 6iseases to develop new tool strengthen
research institutions and training worers in the countries affected.
vii. Hea!th Lite%at#%e a" I'o%&atio
!"# acts as a clearing house for information on health problems. It&s
publications comprise hundred of titles on wide variety of health sub9ects.
$he !"# library is one of the satellite centers of the Medical Literature
0nalysis and 1etrieval system of the 4... national Library of Medicine.
$he !"# has also a public information service both at headquarters and
each of the si2 regional officers.
viii. Co2o)e%atio 4ith othe% o%(ai.atio
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!"# collaborates with the 4N and with the other specialized agencies,
and maintains various degrees of woring relationships. *esides who has
also established relation with a number of international government
organizations.
D. The 4o%5 o' WHO is #%si(
$he concern of !"# is all fields of nursing education and services continues to
enable nurses in many countries to increase their contribution to the health of their
fellow men. *ecause of the great shortage of nursing personal to meet the demand in
India !"# has concentrated on education and training programmes for nurses along
times that will meet the nursing needs of future.
$he functions of !"# include education of nurses and midwives, health visitors,
au2iliary nurses @ midwives and assisting in development of field services and training
areas. 1efresher courses for ward sisters, sister tutors, midwives and health visitors
have been established and are held in various states. $hree of the post basic courses
in India are sponsored by !"#.
In order to standardize the pattern of education and service, syllabus,
programmes of practical e2perience and procedure, manuals are drawn up, and when
accepted and tried out in a city, are duplicated and made available to hospitals through
out the state whenever nursing personnel is being prepared.
0n interesting development is the staff meetings among the hospitals or public
health staff, and the inter hospital tutors meetings, which help the progrmame run more
smoothly and ensure that they are established in family uniform manner. $hese
meetings of nursing personnel help to clarify some of the many problems of nursing
education and nursing generally.
6. SU33AR7
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$he International Council of Nurses is a profession development council, it&s
purposes is share the interests in the promotion of health. #b9ectives are promote and
development of Nurse&s 0ssociation, improves the status of nurses, improves the
standard and competence of nursing, it serve as authorities voice for nurses and
nursing internationally. "aving activities of many, recommended the changing patterns
of nursing, in nursing services, nursing education, as well as having blue print of future
action. $he !"# has the organizations the world health assembly, e2ecutive board,
and the secretariat as well as it has several divisions. $he !"# having ob9ectives alie
attainment by all peoples of the highest level of health. $he functions of the !"# has
'. /revention and control of specific diseases, <. 6evelopment of comprehensive health
services, C. +amily health, D. Bnvironmental health, E. "ealth statistics, F. *iomedical
research, ?. "ealth literature and information and (. Co,operation with other
organizations. 0s well as !"# has some wor in nursing.
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8. +I+LIOGRA$H7
'. 1.K.Manelar&s, 5"istory of Nursing7, Mumbai, Gora Medical /ublications, <::',
/pA F:,FC, D),E<.
<. K./ar&s, 5/reventive and .ocial Medicine7, '?
th
Bd., Habalpur, M3s. *anarsidas
*hanot /ublishers, <::<, /pA FFF,FF(.
C. K./ar&s, 5Bssentials of Community "ealth Nursing7, D
th
Bd., Habalpur, M3s.
*anarsidas *hanot /ublishers, <::<, /pA CD:, <F(.
D. Hames +.Muenzie&s, 50n introduction of Community "ealth7, D
th
Bd.,
.ingappore, Hones and *artlett /ublishers, <::<, /pA C:,C'.
E. Karen .amier Lundry, .haryn Hane&s, 5Community "ealth Nursing7, .ingapore,
Hones and *artlett /ublishers, <::', /pA CF(,F).
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Seminar
On
INTERNATIONAL NURSING: ROLE OF
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES
AND WHO
SU+9ECT2 3ANAGE3ENT
SU+3ITTED TO
3RS. N. SU3ATHI 3.SC. (N)
SENIOR LECTURER
:3ACON; SALE3
SU+3ITTED +7
SURENDRA SHAR3A
3. SC (N) 2
ND
7EAR
:3ACON; SALE3
17
INDE<
S. No. CONTENT $AGE NO.
1
2
,
6
8
=
INTERNATIONAL NURSING ROLE OF ICN AND WHO
INTRODUCTION
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES
Ai&s
$#%)oses
O*1ectives
The Gove%i( +o"/
Activities
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANI-ATION
O%(ai.atio a" A"&iist%atio
O*1ectives
F#ctios o' the WHO
The 4o%5 o' WHO is #%si(
SU33AR7
CONCLUSION
+I+LIOGRA$H7
1
12>
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