The World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on the United States to reconsider President Donald Trump’s withdrawal order.
Trump after his swearing-in Ceremony on Monday signed an Executive Order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO.
Trump had previously been critical of how the WHO handled Covid-19 and began the process of pulling out from the Geneva-based institution.
Ex-President Joe Biden later reversed the process.
But in a statement on Tuesday, Ghebreyesus highlighted how WHO had benefited from the partnership of the US and the WHO.
“The World Health Organisation regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organisation,” Ghebreyesus said.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.“
He said the US was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since.
“This is 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,” he said.
Ghebreyesus said together, they were able to end smallpox and brought polio to the brink of eradication.
“American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” he said.
He said with the participation of the United US and other Member States, WHO has over the past seven years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history adding that the work continues.
“We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and the WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe,” he said.
This is the second time Trump has ordered the US to pull out of the WHO.
The Executive Order also said the withdrawal was the result of "unfairly onerous payments" the US made to the WHO, which is part of the United Nations.
