Article 28

to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly;

to act as the executive organ of the Health Assembly;

to perform any other functions entrusted to it by the Health Assembly;

to advise the Health Assembly on questions referred to it by that body and on matters assigned to the Organization by conventions, agreements and regulations;

to submit advice or proposals to the Health Assembly on its own initiative;

to prepare the agenda of meetings of the Health Assembly;

to submit to the Health Assembly for consideration and approval a general programme of work covering a specific period;

to study all questions within its competence;

to take emergency measures within the functions and financial resources of the Organization to deal with events requiring immediate action. In particular it may authorize the Director-General to take the necessary steps to combat epidemics, to participate in the organization of health relief to victims of a calamity and to undertake studies and research the urgency of which has been drawn to the attention of the Board by any Member or by the Director-General.