WHO Chief Rebuts US Withdrawal Claims as 'Untrue', Warns Global Impact

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has categorically rejected the United States' stated reasons for withdrawing from the UN health agency, describing them as "untrue" and warning that the decision undermines global health security.The formal US withdrawal from WHO took effect on January 22, ending nearly eight decades of membership following the required one-year notice period. The move represents one of the most significant shifts in global health governance since the organization's founding in 1948."Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue. The notification of withdrawal makes both the US and the world less safe," Ghebreyesus wrote on social media platform X on Saturday.The WHO chief emphasized the organization's impartial stance, rejecting US claims that it pursued "a politicised, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests." He noted that as a specialized UN agency governed by 194 member states, WHO "has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favour."President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of the WHO, particularly regarding its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic's early stages. The administration accused the organization of being too deferential to China, repeating inaccurate information from Beijing, and politicizing the crisis by characterizing US travel restrictions as discriminatory.Financial considerations also played a central role in the withdrawal decision. Trump criticized what he described as an inequitable burden-sharing arrangement, arguing that the US contributed disproportionately compared to other major powers, including China, without receiving commensurate influence or treatment.The WHO defended its pandemic response, rejecting allegations that it obstructed the timely sharing of critical health information. Ghebreyesus acknowledged the US's significant historical contributions as a founding member while expressing hope for future re-engagement."We hope the US will return to active participation in WHO in the future. Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission," he stated, reaffirming the organization's commitment to achieving "the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people."The withdrawal marks a pivotal moment in multilateral health governance, potentially reshaping global disease surveillance capabilities and pandemic preparedness frameworks at a time when international cooperation remains critical for addressing emerging health threats.