By Joke Kujenya
NOTIFICATION OF withdrawal has been received by the World Health Organization (WHO) from the United States of America (USA), prompting the agency to express regret over the decision and to confirm that the matter will be taken up by its governing bodies.
JKNewsMedia.com reports the WHO as describing the US as a founding Member State which has contributed significantly to many of the organization’s major public health achievements.
The agency noted that these include the eradication of smallpox and progress against public health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
WHO also stated that it regrets the notification of withdrawal, adding that the decision makes both the United States and the world less safe.
The organization said the US notification raises issues that will be considered by its Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly (WHA) at its annual meeting in May 2026.
WHO added that it has taken note of statements from the government of the US claiming that the agency had “trashed and tarnished” and insulted the country and compromised its independence.
Describing this as untrue, the WHO added that it has always sought to engage with the US in good faith and with full respect for its sovereignty, as it does with every Member State.
WHO added that the US cited: “WHO failures during the COVID 19 pandemic” as one of the reasons for its decision, including claims that the organization obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information and concealed those failures.
However, the WHO said no organization or government got everything right, but it stands by its response to what it described as an unprecedented global health crisis.
During the pandemic, WHO defended itself that it acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States based on the best available evidence.
The world health body said it recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns.
It further said it supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people and stressed that those decisions were theirs.
Additionally, the WHO said that immediately after receiving the first reports of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019, it asked China for more information and activated its emergency incident management system.
By the time the first death was reported from China on 11 January 2020, WHO said it had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and published comprehensive guidance for countries on protecting populations and health systems.
When the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations on 30 January 2020,
WHO said there were fewer than 100 reported cases outside China and no reported deaths. In the first weeks and months of the pandemic, the Director-General repeatedly urged all countries to take immediate action, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing”, “this is not a drill” and describing COVID 19 as “public enemy number one”.
The agency said it has taken steps to strengthen its work following multiple reviews of the pandemic, including reviews of its own performance, and to support countries in bolstering pandemic preparedness and response capacities.
It said systems developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase, which run 24/7, have contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the US.
The organization also rejected claims by the United States that it had pursued a politicized and bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.
WHO said it is a specialized agency of the United Nations governed by 194 Member States and remains impartial, serving all countries with respect for sovereignty and without fear or favour.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that conclusively, the WHO said it appreciates the support and continued engagement of Member States working within its framework to address global health threats.
It also noted that Member States adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement http://WHO Pandemic Agreement last year and are negotiating an annex on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.
WHO affirmed remains committed to its core mission and constitutional mandate and hopes the United States will return to active participation in the future.
