Jakarta -Africa is said to be the most affected region by the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is said to endanger public health financing.
There are concerns that Donald Trump could cut or withdraw support for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a funding initiative for most Africans living with HIV/AIDS on the continent.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stated that its country needs to ‘think outside the box’ to secure related funding.
“We know the role that the WHO has played on the continent to truly enhance the provision of public health programs in Africa.” And yes, the reduction in US funding will definitely have an impact,” said Ngashi Ngongo, a senior official at the Africa CDC, quoted by Reuters on Friday (January 24, 2025).
“However, once again, this is the time for African member states to rethink financing for public health,” continued Ngongo.
CDC Africa stated that in the past two years, it has encouraged several regions to independently develop public health financing at the local level, so as not to disrupt disease and outbreak management.
The process of the US’s request to withdraw from the WHO, according to regulations, can only be formalized a year after it is submitted, namely in January 2025. WHO regrets the decision, considering the extensive cooperation and contribution of the US as the largest donor in WHO funding.
“We hope the United States will reconsider,” said UN health agency spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.
The US joined the WHO in 1948 after a joint resolution was passed by both chambers of Congress, which required the country to give one year’s notice to leave the organization.