We Hope US Reconsiders Withdrawal- WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the United States of America to have a second thought about the decision to withdraw from the Organisation.

It is open to “constructive dialogue” over the concerns of the US.

US President Donald Trump on his first day as President signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO.

The decision is premised on the Geneva-based institution’s handling of the COVID pandemic, the country said on Monday.

It explained it was “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”.

Reacting to the move, the WHO expressed regrets, as it recollected some strides it has achieved together with the US in health issues following the establishment of the outfit in 1948.

“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 wellbeing of millions of people around the globe.”

Among the diseases their partnership has fought include smallpox, and polio which according to the Organisation is on the brink of eradication.

“American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO. 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.”

WHO is mandated to protect the health and security of the world’s people by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini