General
10 For collaborative activities of a scope or nature that may not warrant the designation of a WHO collaborating centre, the Organization may propose that an institution that is able and willing to participate in such activities with WHO be designated by the national authorities concerned. When an institution is thus designated by a government, the Organization formally acknowledges it as a national institution recognized by WHO. No reference to WHO may however appear in the title of the institution.
20 A national institution recognized by WHO can, if necessary with the authorization of the government concerned, maintain direct working relations with the appropriate levels of the Organization and with the WHO collaborating centres and other national institutions in their area of interest.
30 The Organization’s official recognition is for one year and is tacitly renewed unless notice of termination is given by either party three months in advance.
Procedure for recognizing national institutions
40 Proposals for the recognition of an institution by WHO may be made either by headquarters (for e.g. National Influenza Centres) or by a regional office. The initiating unit in WHO will prepare terms of reference for discussion with the institution in close consultation with headquarters, regional programme and country staff concerned. The consultation in WHO and regional offices normally also includes responsible officers for the establishment of WHO collaborating centres. The initiating unit will also coordinate an assessment of the capacity of the institution to carry out the functions required and its general suitability for designation. The national authorities will be kept informed as necessary.
50 The terms of reference should specify:
- The commitment of the institution to provide WHO, and in particular the WHO collaborating centre(s) of the corresponding network, with all necessary information and material contributions; and
- The institution’s entitlement to the information and technical support it requires from WHO in the pursuit of its task.
60 When the initiating unit and the institution have agreed on the terms of reference, the unit should prepare a letter to the government for the regional director’s clearance asking the government formally to designate the institution. This draft letter should be routed through the unit's director at headquarters.
70 If the government designates the institution in response to the letter from the initiating unit, the unit prepares a letter to the institution for the regional director’s signature, informing the head of the institution and the government that WHO recognizes it as a national institution. A copy is sent to the government.
80 The initiating unit provides the recognized national institution with a list of WHO collaborating centres and national institutions working in the same field and informs the WHO collaborating centres concerned of WHO recognition of a national institution.
Working Relationships
90 Working technical relationships with national institutions are developed at the regional or headquarters level, as appropriate.
