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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the country from the organisation.
Trump, who was inaugurated as the 47th President of the U.S., issued an executive order for the start of the process of terminating U.S. membership in the agency that oversees global health issues.
The move stems from years of Trump’s frustration with WHO, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. president repeatedly criticised the organisation for being too slow to respond to the pandemic, accusing it of being “owned and controlled by China.”
In the new executive order, Trump directed federal 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.”
In a statement on its official X account on Tuesday, WHO expressed regret over the announcement of the U.S. intended withdrawal from the organisation, urging President Trump to reconsider his decision while proposing a dialogue between both parties.
The statement read in parts, “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.
“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 benefited from membership in WHO.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 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,” the statement read.
