The US exit from WHO changes global health

Source: The post The US exit from WHO changes global health has been created, based on the article “The U.S.’s WHO exit, a chance to reshape global health” published in “The Hindu” on 5th February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Context: The article discusses the U.S. withdrawal from WHO and its impact on global health funding. It urges Asian and African countries to step up, invest in public health expertise, and reform WHO. It sees this as an opportunity to reduce reliance on high-income countries.

For detailed information on US withdrawal from the WHO and its potential read this article here

Why is the U.S.’s exit from WHO a concern?

1. Loss of Major Funding: The U.S. was one of the biggest contributors to WHO. Its exit will reduce both Assessed Contributions (AC) and Voluntary Contributions (VC).
2. Impact on WHO Programs: U.S.-based donors may stop funding projects like polio elimination and antimicrobial resistance.
3. Uncertain Future of USAID: USAID’s instability will further impact WHO funding.
4. Global Health Inequality: Diseases in Asia and Africa, like mPox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, receive less attention.
5. Weakening Global Institutions: The book Why Nations Fail explains that strong institutions help countries grow. Similarly, the world needs strong global institutions. But nationalism is rising in many countries. Leaders now prioritize their own nations over global cooperation. This weakens institutions like WHO.

How can the global south strengthen WHO?

1. Fill WHO’s funding gap – Countries in Asia and Africa must increase contributions. BRICS can help coordinate funding.
2. Train more public health experts – Countries should invest in training experts, including those specializing in diseases affecting Africa.
3. Create regional health institutions – New training centers in Asia and Africa will reduce dependence on experts from high-income countries.
4. Reform WHO headquarters – Moving WHO headquarters to regions like Brazzaville (Congo), 5. Cairo, Manila, or New Delhi will lower costs and focus efforts where needed most.

Conclusion

U.S. might rejoin WHO under a future president. Until then, it views the U.S. withdrawal as a chance for lower-income countries to lead in global health and reshape the agenda, making it less dependent on high-income nations.

Question for practice:

Examine how the U.S. withdrawal from WHO impacts global health funding and the role of the Global South in strengthening WHO.