Country offices as operational base for WHO programmes: the case of Qatar

Globalization, integration, digitization, and engagement have become commonly used terminologies reflecting the strategic and forward-looking nature of public health in the 21st Century, as public health programmes aim to make impact globally while acting locally.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution had laid the foundation 75 years ago in a visionary way of the important functions of the Organisation, the scope of support to countries, and the potential role country offices should play. Member States are at the centre of WHO's work across the globe, and technical assistance to them is channeled primarily through country offices, which attempt to foster decentralization of WHO's work across the globe and provide avenues to consult directly with in-country stakeholders and agree on priority health needs.