Washington (Monitoring Desk):The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) after 78 years of membership.
The US government cited the WHO’s inadequate response during the COVID-19 pandemic and stated that political influences and lack of reforms within the organization made it impossible to safeguard American interests.
According to WHO, the US has outstanding dues ranging from $130 million to $270 million, which remain part of the ongoing dispute. Moving forward, the United States plans to collaborate directly with other countries through bilateral agreements for disease surveillance and vaccine-related matters.
Global health experts have expressed concern over the decision, warning that the US may lose timely access to critical information worldwide, which could be vital in preventing future threats such as viruses or influenza.
