Recently, the United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

World Health Organization

• About: The WHO is a UN body working on global health. It works with countries to strengthen their primary health care, its guidelines help prepare government policies, and it helps organise programmes to tackle specific diseases.

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Key Highlights of the Executive Order

• Halt in Funding : All transfers of US funds and resources to the WHO will be halted.
• Recall of US Personnel: All US government personnel or contractors associated with the WHO will be recalled.
• Alternative Partnerships: The US will identify credible, transparent partners at both domestic and international levels to take over activities previously managed by the WHO.
• Exit from Pandemic Treaty Negotiations: The US will cease its participation in negotiations for the WHO’s pandemic treaty. The treaty is designed to:
  • Enhance global pandemic preparedness.
  • Foster international cooperation during pandemics.
  • Develop mechanisms for equitable sharing of medical resources like vaccines and drugs.
  • The executive order explicitly states that any actions under this treaty will not bind the US.

Funding Structure of WHO

• Assessed Contributions: Mandatory contributions from member countries.It covers less than 20% of WHO’s total budget, as contributions have remained stagnant.
  • United States: Pays 22.5% (USD 138 million of USD 578 million). 
  • China: Pays 15% (USD 87.6 million).
• Voluntary Contributions: It is raised from countries, organizations, and foundations. It covers the majority of WHO’s funding.
  • United States: 13% (USD 356.3 million in 2023).
  • China: 0.14% (USD 3.9 million).
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Second-largest contributor.
  • The 2024 funding round saw increased voluntary contributions due to uncertainty around U.S. elections. Countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Spain pledged USD 1.7 billion.
• Improved Financial Position: WHO secured 53% of its required USD 7.1 billion budget for 2025-28, compared to only 17% for 2020-24.

Impact on India

• Health Programs: WHO supports several health programs in India, including Neglected tropical diseases, HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis initiatives, Anti-microbial resistance and Immunization programs, including vaccine monitoring.
  • A funding cut would hinder WHO’s ability to effectively implement these programs, particularly in resource-constrained settings like India.
• Impact on Guidance: WHO’s guidelines, developed through evidence-based expert committees, may be affected by the absence of U.S. experts. 
  • Frameworks for pandemic preparedness, chronic disease management, and other health initiatives may lose their comprehensive nature.
• Collaboration with the U.S. CDC: Severance of ties between WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would disrupt international disease surveillance and coordinated responses to global health threats.

Conditions for Withdrawal from WHO

• WHO Constitution: There is no provision for withdrawing from the World Health Organization under its constitution.
• U.S. Condition for Withdrawal: When the U.S. joined WHO in 1948, Congress laid down a condition allowing withdrawal if  one-year notice is given and financial obligations for the current year are met.

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Way Forward

• Filling Vacuum: With the U.S. withdrawing, China and countries from the global south, including India, are expected to take on a larger role. Europe, another potential contender, is resource-constrained due to its focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Philanthropic Contributions: The lacuna left by the U.S. is likely to be partially filled by organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
• Role of India: PM Modi’s focus on holistic health has set a global example. India has positioned itself as a leading voice for the global south, advocating for equitable global health initiatives. 
  • India, along with countries like South Africa, can play a key role in uplifting other nations in the global south.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of the U.S. from WHO underscores the need for stronger leadership from countries like India and others in the global south.

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