Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from WHO attracts Mixed Reactions

Trump’s Decision to Formally Withdraw from WHO attracts Mixed Reactions
WHO

A source informed CNN that the United States President, Donald Trump, had submitted a notice to the UN seeking to officially withdraw from WHO. The letter was brief and precise, consisting of three sentences. The notice came after Trump had announced in April that his Organization would leave the World Health Organization.

The state department affirmed that the US had submitted a notice of withdrawal and demanded it becomes effective, on 6th July 2021. They had sent the letter to the UN since it is the depository of the World Health Organization. The spokesperson for the UN’s secretary-general said he was verifying if the US had met the ultimatums for withdrawal. He was confirming if they had met payments of assessed financial obligations and the one-year notice.

Republicans criticize President Trump on WHO withdrawal

Trump’s decision to formally withdraw triggered reactions from Republicans who urged him to terminate the decision. Bipartisan lawmakers, medical associations, advocacy organization s and allies abroad were unhappy about the news. This is because the US is experiencing an upsurge in corona cases daily. America has so far confirmed 2953423 corona cases and 130546 death. The people believe with help from WHO they could at least combat the virus.

The founder and CEO of the UN, Elizabeth Cousens, stated that the WHO  was indispensable against corona. She criticized President Trump’s decision as short-sighted, dangerous, and unnecessary. When the US retires from the game, their ability to lead and shape an agenda for reform will drastically diminish.

Loyce Pace, president, and CEO of Global Health Council, told CNN that a lot of republicans had voiced out against the withdrawal. She said terminating the relationship was a dangerous gamble.

“Thousands of people have spoken, from health experts to heads of state and heroes on the frontlines: the world needs WHO. This move signals a dangerous gamble amid a pandemic. We have yet to conquer, and without a viable alternative to WHO.”

Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander, the chair of Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee rebuked Trump’s decision. He said that if the administration had suitable recommendations, it should submit to the WHO.

Joe Biden, a presidential candidate, vowed to restore leadership with the UN if US citizens elected him president come November. He announced this on Tuesday while endorsing his campaign. Biden stated that the US was safer when involved in strengthening global health.

Senator Robert Menendez, leading Democrat on the senate foreign relations committee also commented through a tweet.

“Congress received notification that POTUS officially withdrew the U.S. from the ⁦‪@WHO⁩during a pandemic. To call Trump’s response to COVID chaotic & incoherent doesn’t do it justice. This won’t protect American lives or interests—it leaves Americans sick & America alone,” he wrote.

 

Challenges that may arise from the withdrawal

In case America succeeds in terminating its relationship with the UN will impact the health sector. WHO is currently working on ensuring the safety of patients at a personal level? They plan to equip hospitals with medical equipment like ventilators.

Moreover, if the United States withdraws, it will disrupt the clinical trials that aim to find a suitable vaccine for the virus.

Trump defends himself

President Trump first alerted the United Nations he would terminate their relationship on claims that WHO was China-centric. He blamed the WHO for facilitating the spread of the virus as they hesitated before declaring it an outbreak.

Trump accuses World Health Organization of working with China, promoting the spread of the virus. While many lawmakers have had systemic problems with WHO, rebuked Trump’s decision.

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