How Trump’s WHO Withdrawal Affects India: Key Impacts and Implications Explained

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The order pointed out several reasons for this decision: the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its need for urgent reforms, its alleged political influences, and what Trump described as unfair financial demands from the US.

This decision was not unexpected. Trump had previously hinted at the possibility of withdrawal during his presidency and made an official notification to the United Nations in 2020. Health professionals are worried about the potential loss of funding and expertise that could affect the WHO’s global health efforts.

The WHO is a United Nations agency focused on public health worldwide. It collaborates with various countries to enhance healthcare services and develop guidelines for managing health crises and diseases.

The executive order outlined four main actions:

• Suspension of all US funding and resources to the WHO.
• Recall of all US personnel working with the WHO.
• Identification of other international partners to take on WHO’s activities.
• End to US negotiations on a pandemic treaty aimed at improving global preparedness and response to health emergencies.

Financially, the US withdrawal could significantly impact the WHO. The organization relies on US contributions for about 20% of its budget. Trump criticized WHO, noting that China, with a much larger population, contributes significantly less than the United States.

The WHO’s funding comes from two main sources: assessed contributions (mandatory) and voluntary donations. The US is the largest contributor, but its exit could lead to a decrease in the WHO’s overall budget, limiting its ability to implement health programs worldwide.

Health experts emphasize that countries need to fill the potential funding gap left by the US. Dr. Ayoade Alakija from the African Union stressed that global collaboration is essential to ensure health security for everyone.

In response to the US withdrawal, the WHO expressed regret. The agency highlighted its crucial role in promoting health and security worldwide, including in the US.

India could also feel the effects of the US withdrawal. The WHO plays a significant role in supporting health initiatives in India, like vaccination programs and efforts against diseases like tuberculosis and HIV. A drop in WHO activities could hinder these essential services.

Furthermore, the lack of US expertise might affect WHO’s capacity to provide key health guidelines. These guidelines often rely on research and input from various experts, including those from the US. The withdrawal may disrupt collaborations with key US health organizations, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which are vital for monitoring and responding to global health threats.

According to WHO’s constitution, there is no direct withdrawal provision. Still, the US Congress had previously established that the country could withdraw with a one-year notice while fulfilling financial obligations.

Experts suggest that the gap left by the US could be filled by China and nations in the global south, like India. India has been positioning itself as a leader in global health, and this situation may encourage further investment in health initiatives from emerging countries.

In summary, the US withdrawal from the WHO poses challenges not just for the organization but also for global health efforts, potentially undermining health security worldwide.

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