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A logo is pictured at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, December 14, 2022. Denis Balibouse/Reuters
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, in a significant move that drew criticism from public health experts, according to U.S. media outlets.
This action was part of a series of executive orders signed by the 47th U.S. president after his inauguration, covering various issues, including immigration, foreign policy, and climate change.
Trump has been critical of the UN health agency over alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and formally began the withdrawal in July 2020 before his successor and predecessor Joe Biden halted the US exit.
Monday’s executive order seen by CNN cites the “organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises and its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms” as reason for the withdrawal.
It further stated that the agency was unable to demonstrate “independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.”
In 2020, Trump consistently accused the organization of aiding China in allegedly covering up the origins of Covid-19 and allowing its spread.
The U.S. exits the global health agency as the biggest donor by far with billions of dollars in annual funding, followed by Germany.
As a strong advocate for global health security – Washington has partnered with WHO on the fight against epidemics such as polio, as well as enabling other countries to improve their capacity in key health security areas.
South Sudan – which has faced multiple crises including disease outbreaks, conflicts and environmental shocks since gaining independence – has relied partly on the agency for much of its health needs including the recent cholera outbreak that rattled the country.
In South Sudan, WHO provides emergency supplies to hospitals and health facilities across the country in addition to bolstering health surveillance and response at the borders in times of major disease outbreaks.
Bol Deng Bol, the Executive Director of Intrepid South Sudan, acknowledged the significant U.S. contribution to the agency and fears that the withdrawal could have dire consequences for South Sudan which has a weak health system.
“The U.S. contribution in the funding of WHO is close to 50 percent and this sudden decision is going to be extremely challenging, especially to the African nations and South Sudan in particular,” he said in a statement to Eye Radio.
Mr. Deng, also the Chairperson of Jonglei State Civil Society Network, said development is a wake up call on the South Sudan government to shun reliance on aid and step up on its responsibility to provide health service to the people.
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