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WHO Chief Rejects US Withdrawal Reasons as "Untrue," Hopes for Return

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that the reasons given by the United States for its withdrawal from the global health body are untrue. He emphasized that the withdrawal makes both the US and the world less safe, while expressing hope for the US's future return to active participation. The WHO defended its COVID-19 response, stating it acted quickly and shared information transparently, while respecting national sovereignty. This follows the US's formal notification to terminate its WHO membership, citing bureaucratic inefficiency and pandemic mishandling.

Key Points: WHO Chief Calls US Withdrawal Reasons Untrue, Hopes for Return

  • WHO disputes US claims of pandemic failures
  • US withdrawal makes world less safe, says WHO
  • WHO highlights US role in eradicating smallpox
  • Organization defends its COVID-19 response actions
3 min read

Reasons cited for US decision to withdraw are untrue, says WHO Chief

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disputes US claims over COVID-19 handling, says withdrawal makes world less safe.

"Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue. - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus"

Geneva, January 25

After the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said they hoped the US would return to active participation in the WHO in the future

In a post on X, the WHO Chief hailed the contributions of the United States, a founding member of the WHO, which played a significant role in many of the WHO's greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox.

He said on X, "WHO has always engaged with the US, and all Member States, with full respect for their sovereignty. Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue. The notification of withdrawal makes both the US and the world less safe. We hope the US will return to active participation in WHO in the future"

"Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people."

He also shared the WHO statement on the notification of withdrawal of the United States

The statement highlighted America's contributions to many of the WHO's greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against other public health threats, such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and more.

"In its statements, the United States cited as one of the reasons for its decision, "WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic", including "obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information" and that WHO "concealed those failures". While no organization or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis. Throughout the pandemic, WHO acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence. WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns. We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs," the statement read.

This comes after on January 22, the United States of America came down heavily on the World Health Organisation, terminating its membership of the global health body, citing inefficient bureaucracy, mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and "failures" inflicted upon the American people.

In a joint statement issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Kennedy, it was mentioned that going forward, the US engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to effectuate its withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As an Indian, I see this as a big power flexing its muscles. But health isn't about politics. WHO played a crucial role in Covax and vaccine equity for developing nations. The US pulling out weakens that global framework. Not a good look. 🇮🇳
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Arjun K
The WHO chief is right to call out the reasons as untrue. Every country made mistakes during the pandemic, including the US. Blaming the WHO is just shifting responsibility. International bodies need reform, not abandonment.
S
Sarah B
Working in public health, this is alarming. The US was a major funder. This withdrawal creates a vacuum that other nations, maybe with different priorities, will fill. It impacts disease surveillance and outbreak response for the entire world.
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Vikram M
Honestly, the WHO statement makes a fair point. They advised, but sovereign governments made the final calls on lockdowns and mandates. Can't blame them for our own decisions here in India or elsewhere. The US should own its part.
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Karthik V
With all due respect to Dr. Tedros, the WHO's initial response to COVID *was* slow and overly cautious with China. Many countries, including India, felt that. So while the US reasons might be exaggerated, there is a kernel of truth about inefficiency. Reform is needed from within.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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