WHO Chief Rejects US Withdrawal Claims

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Saturday rejected the United States’ stated reasons for withdrawing from the agency, calling the criticisms “untrue” and warning that the move makes both the US and the world less safe.

Tedros emphasized on X that the WHO has consistently engaged with the US and all member states with respect for their sovereignty. The announcement of Washington’s withdrawal was made Thursday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who accused the WHO of “failures during the Covid-19 pandemic” and acting against US interests.

The WHO strongly denied the allegations, stating that it shared information transparently, acted on the best available evidence, and never recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or lockdowns.

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Tedros also highlighted that the US has not yet paid its 2024 and 2025 dues, amounting to roughly $260 million, and that the withdrawal process will be examined during upcoming WHO Executive Board and World Health Assembly meetings. He expressed hope that the US will return to active participation in the future, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to its mission of ensuring the highest attainable standard of health globally.