By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
The recent decision of US President, Donald Trump to withdraw America from the membership of the WHO has been met with criticism from public health officials and experts around the world.
They argue that the move will hinder efforts to combat emerging global health threats such as pandemics.
In Benue State, the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese has also expressed concerns about the impact of the US withdrawal on the fight against infectious diseases in Nigeria.
He noted that many health programs in the country rely on funding from the US Government, and that without this support, Nigeria could struggle to address health challenges effectively.
The Commissioner called on the Nigerian government to explore alternative sources of funding for health programs and to strengthen its own health systems to reduce reliance on external assistance.
He also emphasized the need for strong leadership and coordination in the global health community to ensure that efforts to address health challenges are not derailed by the US withdrawal from the WHO.
Dr. Ortese warned that the withdrawal of the US from the WHO could lead to a funding shortfall for critical health programs, potentially impacting the health of millions of people in Nigeria and other developing countries.
He called on the international community to step up its support for global health initiatives and to work together to ensure that essential health services are not disrupted by the US withdrawal from the WHO.
Dr. Ortese reiterated his concerns about the potential consequences of the US withdrawal from the WHO and called on all stakeholders to come together to find solutions to address global health challenges.
He stressed the need for continued international cooperation in health and urged President Trump to reconsider his decision in the interest of global public health as well as American citizens who are also part of the global Community.
United States of America joined World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948 after a joint resolution was passed by both chambers of Congress.
The resolution requires the country to provide one year’s notice to leave the organization, bringing US involvement in the UN agency to an end in the next 12 months.
Available records indicate that the US is WHO’s largest single donor, accounting for 18 per cent of the agency's annual budget.
It would be recalled that President Donald Trump took steps to withdraw from the WHO in the year 2020 during his first term, but the move was reversed by the Biden administration.
