US Set to Leave WHO
The United States is set to officially leave the World Health Organisation on Thursday. This decision comes despite strong warnings from health experts in the US and around the world. They say the move could harm both American health security and global health systems. The exit is also controversial because US law requires the country to pay all its outstanding fees before leaving. The US still owes the WHO around $260 million.
President Donald Trump announced the decision on his first day in office in 2025 through an executive order. US law requires one year’s notice before leaving the WHO, along with full payment of dues. However, US officials have confirmed that future funding and support for the WHO have already been paused.
BREAKING: 🇺🇸 The U.S. will officially exit the World Health Organization. pic.twitter.com/UA06pmtOav
— Coinvo (@Coinvo) January 22, 2026
Legal and Political Concerns
The WHO has stated that the US has not paid its required fees for 2024 and 2025. Legal experts say this puts the US in violation of its own laws. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law expert, called the move a clear breach of legal obligations. Still, he believes the decision is unlikely to be reversed.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged the US to reconsider. He said the withdrawal is a loss for both the US and the world. Bill Gates also expressed concern, saying he does not expect the US to rejoin soon, even though global health depends on the WHO.
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Impact on Global Health
The US has been the WHO’s largest donor, providing about 18% of its funding. Its departure has triggered a serious budget crisis. The WHO has cut its leadership team and reduced programs. Around a quarter of its staff will lose their jobs by mid-year. Experts warn that weaker cooperation could slow the world’s ability to detect and respond to health threats. They say global health works best when countries act together, not alone.
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