The United States was instrumental in founding the World Health Organization when American diplomats, along with those of other nations, came together in solidarity. Decades later, this partnership paved the way for progress, innovation and breakthroughs in health care that were won together, not alone.
WHO has a global reach and technical expertise, allowing it to mobilize resources effectively. Its efforts have led to significant accomplishments, most notably the eradication of smallpox, which has impacted millions of lives around the world.
Global health security is a shared responsibility, and U.S. leadership has been crucial in combatting health threats. The U.S. has a long-standing partnership with WHO, collaborating closely during outbreaks and international emergencies. This collaboration includes participating in international teams organized by the WHO to investigate and respond to global health crises, such as the West Africa Ebola epidemic that began in 2014.
The executive order to withdraw the U.S. from WHO undermines collaborative efforts to tackle challenges and weakens WHO’s capacity to respond to health emergencies, coordinate international efforts and provide essential health services to vulnerable countries and regions. The U.S. withdrawal also risks disrupting ongoing health programs that rely on WHO’s leadership and coordination.
We encourage the U.S. government to reconsider the importance of remaining an active participant in global health efforts. It is in America’s best interest to shape international health policies and standards, gain access to critical health data to prepare for future health emergencies and benefit from the acceleration in advancements in medical research. Continued collaboration and support from the U.S. are vital to sustaining the momentum built through years of multilateral engagement. The challenges we face in global health are complex and interconnected, requiring a shared vision for a healthier world.
###
About VillageReach
VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone. We are driven by a vision of a world where each person has the health care needed to thrive. VillageReach works with governments, the private sector, partners and communities to build responsive primary health care systems that deliver health products and services to the most-under-reached. As a locally driven and globally connected organization working across Africa, VillageReach’s primary goal is to reduce inequities in access to quality primary health care for 350 million people by 2030.