WHO Expresses Regret as United States Notifies Withdrawal From Global Health Body

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally expressed regret following the notification by the United States of America of its decision to withdraw from the global health body, warning that the move could weaken both U.S. and global health security.

According to a statement issued by the WHO and

 shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account,

 the organization described the United States as a

 founding member that has played a critical role in

 some of its most significant public health

 achievements, including the eradication of smallpox

 and progress in combating diseases such as polio,

 HIV, Ebola, tuberculosis, malaria, and other global

 health threats.

WHO noted that the U.S. decision to withdraw raises

 legal and procedural issues that will be reviewed by

 its Executive Board at a meeting scheduled to begin

 on February 2, as well as by the World Health

 Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.

Responding to claims by the U.S. government that the

 organization had compromised its independence

 and mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO

 rejected the accusations, stating that it has always

 engaged the United States and other member states

 in good faith while respecting national sovereignty.

The organization acknowledged that the COVID-19

 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges globally

 but defended its response, stressing that it acted

 swiftly and transparently from the earliest stages of

 the outbreak. WHO explained that it requested

 information from China immediately after reports

 of unexplained pneumonia cases emerged in Wuhan

 in December 2019 and activated its emergency

 response systems without delay.

WHO further stated that it alerted countries

 worldwide before COVID-19 spread significantly

 outside China and declared the outbreak a Public

 Health Emergency of International Concern on

 January 30, 2020, at a time when fewer than 100

 cases had been reported outside China and no

 deaths had been recorded globally.

Addressing claims that it promoted lockdowns and

 mandates, the organization clarified that while it

 recommended preventive measures such as mask

 use, vaccination, and physical distancing, it never

 imposed or mandated lockdowns or vaccine

 requirements, emphasizing that such decisions were

 made independently by sovereign governments.

The WHO also dismissed allegations that it operates

 under the influence of countries hostile to U.S.

 interests, reiterating that it remains an impartial

 United Nations agency governed by 194 member

 states and committed to serving all nations without

 bias.

Despite the U.S. withdrawal notice, WHO reaffirmed

 its commitment to strengthening global pandemic

 preparedness, highlighting recent reforms and the

 adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by

 member states. The agreement, once ratified, is

 expected to improve early detection of future

 pandemics and ensure fair access to vaccines,

 treatments, and diagnostics.

Global and African Implications

Health experts warn that the U.S. withdrawal could

 affect global disease surveillance, emergency

 funding, and coordinated responses to future

 pandemics. For developing regions such as Africa,

 including Nigeria, continued WHO stability is critical

 for disease control programs, vaccination

 campaigns, and health system support.

WHO expressed hope that the United States would reconsider its decision and return to active participation, stressing that global health threats require collective action rather than isolation.