US formally exits WHO

The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization. The process began a year ago through an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department said the withdrawal process from the WHO has now been fully completed.

A senior HHS official said the Trump administration believes the WHO has deviated from its core mission and failed to meet standards of necessary reform, accountability and transparency.

The official added that the WHO has faced widespread criticism over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly for delays in declaring it a global public health emergency.

The official also alleged that the WHO had acted against US interests on several occasions.

The Trump administration claims the United States has contributed far more financially to the WHO than countries such as China, while no US citizen has ever served as the organisation’s director general. Source: BBC