US Exit From WHO Threatens Africa's Public Health, AU Health Body Says
14:34 24.01.2025 (Updated: 14:52 24.01.2025)
© AP Photo / Anja Niedringhaus
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On Monday, US President Donald Trump formalized the US withdrawal from the WHO, citing its COVID-19 "mismanagement," failure to reform, and undue political influence. Concerns also exist that Trump might cut funding to the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a vital program for Africans living with HIV/AIDS.
The US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) will jeopardize public health in Africa, Ngashi Ngongo, a senior official at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said.
"It's time for African member states to rethink financing for public health," Ngongo stated, noting that the issue will be discussed with heads of state at next month's meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The US is responsible for 22% of the WHO's mandatory contributions for 2024-2025, followed by China at 16%, according to the media. Thus, the US withdrawal is likely to create a significant funding gap for the WHO, which, without a policy change or major private funding, will likely face a substantial budget reduction.
"That is why Africa CDC has, for the last two years, been pushing African states to develop modes of accelerating public health financing locally so that there is no disruption in public health financing," Ngongo said.
The US became a member of the WHO in 1948 by joint resolution of Congress, and is now required to give one year's notice of withdrawal.
