WHO Deplores the Decision of the United States to Withdraw from Membership

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JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) regrets the decision of the United States (US) to withdraw from WHO membership. Moreover, the US itself is one of the founding member countries of WHO.

During the cooperation, the US has made significant contributions to many of the WHO's major achievements. From eradicating smallpox, and progress in addressing many public health threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, and many more.

The WHO said the decision to leave "makes the United States and the world less safe", quoted from the WHO's official website, on Monday, January 26, 2021. In addition, the WHO also highlighted the US's accusations against those who were judged to have failed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, the US assessed that the WHO was not quick in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and hindered the timely and accurate dissemination of important information, even hiding the failure.

Regarding this accusation, WHO emphasized that they were responsive in dealing with global health crises, and actively provided all the information they had regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Throughout the pandemic, WHO has acted quickly, sharing all the information it has quickly and transparently with the world, and advising Member States based on the best available evidence," the WHO said.

Not only that, WHO also denied the US allegations that WHO had "pursued a politicized and state-driven bureaucratic agenda that is hostile to American interests".

It was emphasized that WHO is neutral and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, without fear or favor.

Then, although regretting the departure of the US, WHO still hopes that in the future the US will return to actively participating. WHO also remains strongly committed to working with all countries in carrying out its core mission and its constitutional mandate, namely achieving the highest possible health standards as a basic right for all people in the world.