The newly-sworn in American President Donald Trump has announced to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). The announcement has drawn criticism from several health experts.
He announced in his inaugural speech on Monday. Donald Trump has long been critical of the health policies of the United Nations. He has been critical of WHO for its ‘mishandling’ of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
The withdrawal of WHO means the USA will exit from the agency within 12 months and will stop all financial contributions to its work. The United States is by far the WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding.
The text of Monday’s executive order cites the “organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states,” as reasons for the US withdrawal.
He first initiated the withdrawal from WHO back in 2020 when the pandemic continued to spread. But, later former US President Joe Biden halted the exit.
WHO reacting to the decision released an official statement on X on Monday. Head of WHO, Tedros Adhanom shared the full statement on its X account.
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“The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization,” read the statement.
“The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement read further.
The organization has urged the United States of America to reconsider its decision. “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe,” it said further.