The World Health Organisation (WHO) has implored the United States to reconsider its withdrawal from the global health body.

 

After his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order kick-starting the process of pulling the country out of the WHO.

 

The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.

 

The executive order also said WHO required “unfairly onerous payments” from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided “by other larger countries such as China”.

 

In a statement on Tuesday, the WHO expressed regret over the move, saying the US has participated in shaping and governing the organisation’s work since joining in 1948.

 

The organisation said for over seven decades, it has, alongside the US, saved countless lives and protected Americans and other nationals from health threats.

 

“Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement reads.

 

“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.

 

“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”