The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Tuesday, expressed regrets over President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the organisation.
On Tuesday, the WHO acknowledged the United States’ critical position in the world health organisation and expressed optimism that Trump would reverse his decision.
Trump, who was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, signed a spate of broad executive orders, including one that terminated the US membership in the World Health Organisation.
Reacting to Trump’s decision, the WHO, in the statement on X, said, “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 benefitted from membership in WHO.
“With the participation of the United States and other member states, WHO has over the past seven 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.”
Speaking at the White House hours after his inauguration on Monday, Trump stated that the US was paying far more to the UN body compared to China, remarking, “World Health ripped us off.”
During Trump’s first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing WHO of being overly influenced by China during the COVID-19 pandemic’s early stages.
The decision was, however, reversed under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”
