The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has sharply criticised the United States’ decision to withdraw from the UN health agency, dismissing the reasons cited by Washington as “untrue.” He warned that the formal withdrawal, announced this week, would make both the United States and the global community less safe.

In a statement and subsequent post on X, Tedros said the WHO has always engaged with the US and other member states in good faith and with full respect for national sovereignty. He stressed that the organisation has consistently maintained transparency and cooperation, particularly during global health emergencies.

The US decision was announced jointly by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who accused the WHO of repeated failures during the Covid-19 pandemic and of acting against American interests. They alleged that the agency compromised its independence and mishandled the sharing of critical information during the crisis.

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The WHO firmly rejected these accusations, stating that it acted swiftly during the pandemic and shared all available information transparently. The agency clarified that while it recommended measures such as masks, vaccines, and physical distancing, it never advocated mandatory lockdowns, mask mandates, or compulsory vaccination policies, leaving such decisions to sovereign governments.

The dispute also includes financial and procedural concerns surrounding the withdrawal. While the US reserved the right to exit the WHO upon giving one year’s notice, the organisation has pointed out that Washington has not fulfilled its financial obligations and is reportedly behind on contributions amounting to around $260 million for 2024 and 2025.

The WHO said the matter would be reviewed by its Executive Board and the World Health Assembly in the coming months. Expressing hope for renewed engagement, Tedros said the organisation remains committed to working with all nations to uphold its core mission of ensuring the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right.

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