US Drops Out of World Health Organization Amid Blame for Pandemic Failures
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the global health community, the United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the first time since its founding in 1948 that it has been absent from the Geneva-based organization.
The news was announced by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and Marco Rubio, the country's top diplomat, who cited the WHO's "failures during the COVID-19 pandemic" as a major reason for the US decision to leave. The pair claimed that the organization had failed to adequately respond to the crisis, and that this failure was a key factor in the decision.
However, many health experts have expressed deep concern over the move, warning that it could leave the world more vulnerable to future pandemics. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, has been quick to point out that the organization had responded to funding shortfalls associated with the US withdrawal by making cuts.
The decision is also being seen as a major blow to global health efforts, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating international responses to pandemics, and its absence could have significant consequences for public health.
Critics of the move, such as Lucky Tran, a public health advocate, argue that the US withdrawal is "reckless" and "makes us all more vulnerable." They point out that the WHO has played a vital role in bringing countries together to reduce death and disease on an unprecedented scale.
The decision comes after years of tension between the US and the WHO. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the organization, citing concerns over its handling of pandemics. However, a clause created by the US meant that the withdrawal did not take effect until this week.
As the world struggles to come to terms with the implications of the US withdrawal from the WHO, one thing is clear: global health efforts will never be the same again.
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the global health community, the United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the first time since its founding in 1948 that it has been absent from the Geneva-based organization.
The news was announced by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and Marco Rubio, the country's top diplomat, who cited the WHO's "failures during the COVID-19 pandemic" as a major reason for the US decision to leave. The pair claimed that the organization had failed to adequately respond to the crisis, and that this failure was a key factor in the decision.
However, many health experts have expressed deep concern over the move, warning that it could leave the world more vulnerable to future pandemics. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, has been quick to point out that the organization had responded to funding shortfalls associated with the US withdrawal by making cuts.
The decision is also being seen as a major blow to global health efforts, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating international responses to pandemics, and its absence could have significant consequences for public health.
Critics of the move, such as Lucky Tran, a public health advocate, argue that the US withdrawal is "reckless" and "makes us all more vulnerable." They point out that the WHO has played a vital role in bringing countries together to reduce death and disease on an unprecedented scale.
The decision comes after years of tension between the US and the WHO. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the organization, citing concerns over its handling of pandemics. However, a clause created by the US meant that the withdrawal did not take effect until this week.
As the world struggles to come to terms with the implications of the US withdrawal from the WHO, one thing is clear: global health efforts will never be the same again.