Just days after Donald Trump's inauguration, the United States has officially exited the World Health Organization (WHO), refusing to pay approximately ₹2,400 crore in outstanding dues. A US health official confirmed, "We have no plans to rejoin the WHO." This dramatic US exits WHO move signals a shift in global health strategy, raising alarms worldwide.
Trump's administration argues the US has already overpaid the UN agency. Now, America plans bilateral deals for disease surveillance, bypassing WHO. But experts warn this could weaken pandemic defenses at a time when new health threats loom.
Trump's Swift Action on Day One
President Trump wasted no time. On January 20, hours after his oath, he greenlit the US exits WHO process, echoing his first-term criticisms. A State Department official slammed WHO for failing on disease prevention, management, and data sharing.
US law typically requires one-year notice and cleared dues for withdrawal. Yet, officials insist no payment is mandatory. They've halted all future funding, noting America's past contributions – about 18% of WHO's budget.
This Trump WHO withdrawal isn't new; Trump pledged it during his 2024 campaign. But executing it now, amid post-COVID recovery, amplifies its shock value.
Bill Gates Sounds Alarm at Davos
Bill Gates, Gates Foundation head, didn't mince words at the World Economic Forum. "The world needs WHO," he told Reuters, vowing to advocate despite slim rejoin chances. Gates highlighted WHO's role in vaccines and outbreaks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed this last week, warning of harm to the US and globe. With US gone, WHO faces a funding crisis – already slashing staff by 25% mid-year and halving management.
Legal and Global Health Fallout
Experts cry foul. Georgetown's Lawrence Gostin calls it a clear US law violation, though Trump might sidestep via executive order. Bloomberg Philanthropies' Kelly Henning warns: damaged detection systems risk everyone.
WHO's February board meeting will dissect impacts. Unpaid 2024-25 dues pile pressure; programs in disease tracking and emergencies face cuts.
For India, this hits close. As WHO's air-quality advisor, Delhi watches warily – bilateral US ties might bypass multilateral efforts on shared threats like mpox or flu variants.
Takeaways for Global Health:
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Funding Gap: WHO loses biggest donor; donors like Gates Foundation step up?
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US Risks: Direct deals sound efficient, but miss WHO's global network.
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World Impact: Slower outbreak alerts could delay responses, per experts.
This US exits WHO saga underscores America's "America First" pivot. As Trump reshapes alliances, will it safeguard or isolate the superpower? Global health hangs in balance – watch WHO's February moves.
