WHO Regrets U.S. Plans to Withdraw from Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States' announcement of its intent to withdraw, emphasizing the organization's crucial role in global health and security. WHO noted that the U.S. is its largest donor, contributing approximately 15.6% of its revenue, and highlighted the significant achievements made in collaboration, including the eradication of smallpox and near-elimination of polio. The organization underscored its ongoing reforms aimed at improving accountability and effectiveness in health responses worldwide. In response to the withdrawal, WHO representatives reiterated their hope that the U.S. will reconsider, stressing the importance of maintaining a partnership that benefits global health. This decision raises critical questions about WHO's future effectiveness and the potential impact on health systems globally. The move follows a history of U.S. involvement in WHO, which has been integral since the organization's founding in 1948.