Fifth, the largest program increase has been in malaria as a consequence of the malaria eradication program. This program is so significant as an experiment in international collaboration, as a successful disease control program, and as a precedent for other programs that it needs further explanation.

TABLE 6-F.-Obligations in respect of projects by specific fields of activity, 1952–57, under the regular budget, expanded program of technical assistance, and UNICEF reimbursements

Total..

100. 00 6, 720, 714 6, 719, 950 5, 925, 701 6, 869, 940 7, 633, 036 8, 934, 774 100.00

1 Includes $28,247 obligated from the malaria eradication special account.

E. WHO'S MALARIA ERADICATION PROGRAM

The objectives, operational methods, and attainments of the WHO malaria eradication program were described in part III. Here emphasis will be placed on the financial aspects of the program.

WHO's total expenditures relating to malaria were $6.5 million in 1958 (table 6-G). Of this sum, $3.8 million came from the malaria eradication special account. These are substantial expenditures, but they are an investment with a fantastic yield in both human and economic terms.

The WHO expenditures are made primarily to aid national governments to fill gaps not met by national programs, to provide technical aid and training, and to stimulate national governments. In 1958, governmental expenditures for malaria eradication totaled $50 million or almost eight times the total WHO expenditure.

WHO malaria expenditures also finance work involving two or more countries or regions. In 1958, about $1.5 million-or about 25 percent of WHO's estimated malaria expenditures supported such work. The United States initially financed the malaria eradication special account in the amount of $5 million in 1957 (table 6-H). A further contribution of $3 million was made in early 1959. A number of countries with relatively limited resources also contribute to the fund. Neither the U.K. nor the U.S.S.R. contributes to the finances. The U.S.S.R. has, however, contributed $82,500 worth of DDT in kind.

TABLE 6-G.-Estimated government contribution to malaria eradication programs in their countries for the years 1958, 1959, and 1960, with estimated costs to WHO (all funds)

TABLE 6-G.-Estimated government contribution to malaria eradication programs in their countries for the years 1958, 1959, and 1960, with estimated costs to WHO (all funds)-Continued

Contributions offered, not yet received (as at Oct. 31, 1958):

U.S.S.R. Contribution of 160 tons of technical DDT................

1 Contribution to be paid in 1959.

The value of $82,500 is that placed on this gift by the Soviet Government.

7, 200

2, 000

12, 406

2 82, 500

F. WHO STAFF

In 1958, the WHO staff totaled 1,800, rounded to make allowances for normal fluctuations in personnel strength. Of these about 30 percent were in the headquarters in Geneva and 70 percent in the field, including the 30 percent of the total WHO staff located in regional offices.

The field staff is concentrated in underdeveloped countries. See table 6-I and chart 6-D. Personnel costs including personal allowances, absorb about 60 percent of the total WHO regular budget (see table 6-J). Costs associated with travel-such as duty travel, transportation of personal effects, travel on home leave, travel and subsistence of delegates, etc.-absorb about 15 percent of the WHO budget. This is to be expected since one of the purposes of the organization is to make communication among individuals easier on a worldwide basis.

The WHO staff is not highly paid by U.S. standards. The highest base salary for the secretariat-excluding salaries for five headquarters officials and six regional directors that are not in the standard secretariat schedule is $12,500, income tax free, per year. In 1958, only 17 officials out of the total staff of 1,800 were paid at this rate. The WHO staff is recruited from every part of the world (see chart 6-E). In 1958, citizens of 60 countries were represented on the staff (table 6-K). This count excludes editors, translators, short-term consultants, staff locally recruited, the staff of the Pan American Health Organization, and staff on loan and without pay.

Unfortunately, the United States is underrepresented on the WHO staff a problem due in part to the level of salaries which WHO is able to pay as compared with that for comparable professional work in the United States.