United States Confirmed to Exit from The World Health Organization, Other Countries Expected to Follow Suit

Medical News: A Historic Decision: The U.S. Leaves the WHO
In a landmark move, the United States has officially confirmed its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This announcement comes directly from President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order formalizing the process shortly after his second-term inauguration. The decision marks the second time during his presidency that Trump has initiated a U.S. withdrawal from the global health agency.


United States Confirmed to Exit from The World Health Organization, Other Countries Expected to Follow Suit

President Trump justified the decision by accusing the WHO of mishandling critical global health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He also alleged that the organization operates under the "inappropriate political influence" of certain member states and described U.S. contributions to the WHO as "unfairly onerous" compared to those of other nations like China.
 
Speaking at the signing event, Trump stated, “World Health ripped us off; everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore.” This Medical News report delves into the implications of this monumental decision and what it means for global health governance moving forward.
 
It should be noted that during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO spent and wasted huge sums of money on Search engines like Google and on Social Media platforms like Facebook, Tik Tok, Youtube, Twitter etc to censor a lot of Medical News and to place their website at the top of every Google search result and even on certain social media platforms while itself was spreading a lot of misinformation regarding the transmission of the virus, or that it was not airborne etc
 
Financial Implications for the WHO
The United States has long been the largest single contributor to the WHO, providing nearly 18% of the organization’s total funding. The agency’s 2024-2025 budget is set at US$6.8 billion, and the U.S. withdrawal creates a significant financial gap. Experts predict that this shortfall could jeopardize vital health programs targeting infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as emergency response initiatives.
 
Other prominent donors to the WHO include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which focus primarily on polio eradication and vaccine distribution. Germany is the second-largest national donor, contributing approximately 3% of WHO’s total funding. While these entities may try to fill the financial void, the absence of U.S. contributions will likely hinder the organization’s ability to execute large-scale health initiatives.
 
Programs at Risk
The WHO in the past had played a critical role in combating major global health challenges, including polio eradication, maternal and child health, and pandemic preparedness. However, the U.S. withdrawal thr eatens to dismantle several of these efforts, particularly in underprivileged regions. Experts warn that global progress against infectious diseases could stagnate or even reverse, potentially endangering millions of lives.
 
Many are however claiming the WHO’s incompetency in the last few years could be due the leadership of Tedros and the rest of the current senior executives at the WHO.
 
What Prompted This Decision?
This is not the first time President Trump has targeted the WHO. In 2020, during his first term, he accused the organization of being biased toward China and claimed it misled the world about the origins and severity of COVID-19. The administration at the time began the withdrawal process but did not complete it before President Joe Biden reversed the decision in 2021.
https://2017-2021.state.gov/update-on-u-s-withdrawal-from-the-world-health-organization/
 
The current executive order halts all U.S. negotiations on the WHO’s proposed pandemic treaty and calls for reassignment of U.S. personnel working with the organization. Additionally, the order demands a comprehensive review of the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, aiming to replace WHO-led activities with partnerships involving other "credible and transparent" entities.
 
How Will Other Nations Respond?
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal, other nations may face increased pressure to reassess their own commitments to the WHO. During Trump’s previous withdrawal attempt, Germany briefly became the largest donor, increasing its funding to fill the gap. However, it remains unclear whether European nations or philanthropic organizations will step up to compensate for the current financial deficit.
 
There are speculations that a number of countries are not happy with WHO’S performance and current leadership team.
 
China, in contrast, has pledged continued support for the WHO. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry reiterated the need to strengthen, not weaken, the agency’s role in global health governance. “China will continue to support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities and deepen international public health cooperation,” the spokesperson said.
 
Broader Implications for Global Health
The U.S. withdrawal raises significant concerns about the future of global health security. Losing American resources and expertise could weaken the WHO’s ability to respond to public health emergencies, including potential pandemics. The decision also risks diminishing U.S. influence in international health policymaking, potentially ceding leadership to other nations like China or blocs like the European Union.
 
Critics argue that this move could also isolate the U.S. from critical health data networks managed by the WHO. For instance, American researchers may lose access to genetic databases crucial for vaccine development and disease surveillance. These limitations could hinder the U.S.’s ability to address future health crises effectively.
 
Conclusion: A Step with Far-Reaching Consequences
The decision to withdraw the United States from the WHO marks a significant turning point in global health diplomacy. While proponents argue it will free the U.S. from what they see as an ineffective and politically biased organization, critics warn of severe repercussions for global health initiatives and American leadership in this domain. The move may embolden other nations to follow suit, further undermining the WHO’s capacity to address worldwide health challenges.
 
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