Trump’s Bold Move: What America’s Withdrawal from the World Health Organization Means for Your Health

The recent announcement of a potential U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) raises concerns for global health. This decision could change how the world handles infectious diseases and respond to future outbreaks.

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump began the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO, a move he had previously attempted during his first term. However, President Joe Biden reversed that decision. Scientists worry that withdrawing might undo years of progress against diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. It could also weaken global defenses against new pandemics.

Trump signed an executive order outlining how the withdrawal process would proceed, including stopping U.S. government funding to the organization, recalling American personnel, and seeking alternative partners to take over necessary functions.

This is not the first time Trump has tried to distance the U.S. from the WHO. In July 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration officially notified the United Nations that the U.S. planned to withdraw, citing dissatisfaction with WHO’s handling of the outbreak.

So, can Trump withdraw the U.S. from the WHO? Yes, but he needs Congress’s approval and must meet the U.S.’s financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The U.S. originally joined the WHO in 1948, and any exit requires a one-year notice.

The impact on the WHO could be significant. The U.S. has been one of the largest donors, contributing between $160 million and $815 million annually. This funding supports essential programs, such as vaccine distribution, maternal and child health initiatives, and responses to new viral threats. Losing this support could severely hinder these efforts and affect global health initiatives.

A lack of U.S. funding might also impact American scientists’ access to vital data managed by the WHO, slowing down vaccine and medicine development. Experts warn that without U.S. resources, global health monitoring and outbreak response could be significantly weakened, increasing the risk of unmanaged diseases spreading across borders.

In the past, when Trump first announced plans to withdraw, countries like Germany stepped up their financial support to the WHO. However, it remains uncertain whether other nations will follow suit this time. Some experts believe that if other countries or philanthropists provide flexible funding, it could help the WHO adapt and continue its vital work.

Trump has expressed concerns about corruption within the WHO, alleging that it is overly influenced by corporate interests and countries like China. He claimed that the WHO was not transparent about the virus during its early spread, which complicated the global response to the pandemic.

In response, the WHO has emphasized the importance of cooperation. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the organization remains ready to work together with all nations, even if U.S. support dwindles. He pointed to past efforts, like the response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo, highlighting how the WHO has successfully managed crises without American involvement.

Source link

World Health Organization,Public health,Donald Trump,US politics