The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing the global health body’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of reforms, and political interference by member states.
The move, announced jointly by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows President Trump’s January 2025 directive to leave the WHO.
Over the past year, the U.S. halted funding, withdrew personnel, and redirected activities previously managed through WHO to direct collaborations with other countries and organizations.
The U.S. criticised the WHO for delays in declaring a global health emergency at the start of COVID-19, praising China’s initial response despite reports of underreporting, suppression of information, and delayed confirmation of human-to-human transmission.
The organisation also downplayed risks of asymptomatic and airborne spread.
According to officials, the WHO failed to adopt meaningful reforms after the pandemic, leaving concerns about political influence and weak governance unaddressed.
Going forward, the U.S. will maintain limited coordination with the WHO while expanding global health initiatives through direct partnerships, private sector engagement, NGOs, and faith-based organizations. Efforts will focus on emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation.
The U.S. government emphasised that these steps aim to safeguard American public health while contributing to global health security.
SOURCE: Blueprint