Geneva - World Health Organization

(Local Name: Organisation Mondiale de la Santé) Northwest of the Ecumenical Center (1km/0.5mi from the Palais des Nations) is the headquarters of the World Health Organization (Organization Mondiale de la Santé; WHO/OMS:1962-66, by J. Tschumi, P. Bonnard, H. Curchid and P. Cotty), also known as the Palais de la Santé.

The World Health Organization, founded in 1948, succeeded the International Office of Public Health, established in Paris in 1907. It is concerned with health care on an international basis, epidemic control, the training of doctors and other health care personnel, etc., and is active in the field of medical research. Its Geneva headquarters and its six regional offices in Copenhagen, Alexandria, Brazzaville, Manila, New Delhi and Washington have a total staff of almost 5,000. The main building, a rectangular eight-story block 150 m/492ft long built of prefabricated elements, rests on 22 concrete piles and contains 550 rooms. In front of it is a lower structure containing the main assembly hall, surrounded by gardens. The building contains many works of art and other features presented by member nations, notably a large wall decoration (7 sq.m/23sq. ft) presented by Brazil.