WHO regrets U.S. withdrawal from organization, urges reconsideration
World Health Organisation WHO
WHO regrets U.S. withdrawal from organisation
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, has disclosed the organisation’s regret over the decision of the United States to withdraw from it.
The U.S. President, Donald Trump, had earlier assented to an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO.
In a statement on Tuesday, via WHO’s X (formally Twitter) handle, Ghebreyesus, recalled that over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.
The statement reads, “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
“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.”
However, the Organisation expressed hope that the United States would reconsider its decision, reiterating that it looks forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to continue collaborating with the U.S. for the benefit of global health and the well-being of millions.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.
“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 added.
