Latest news with #PandemicAccord
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Argentina Finalizes WHO Exit As Milei, RFK Jr. Promote 'New Era' Of Global Health
Argentina has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, deepening a growing rift between Western populists and the U.N.'s leading global health agency. The ratification of Argentina's withdrawal was confirmed Monday during the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s visit to Buenos Aires. This action follows a February announcement by President Javier Milei, echoing the re-election campaign promises of President Donald J. Trump, who reentered the White House in January and immediately reinstated plans to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO. 'The WHO's prescriptions do not work because they are not based on science but on political interests and bureaucratic structures,' Milei's government said in a statement on May 26, as reported by The Guardian. Kennedy now says that both governments aim to construct a new international health architecture, grounded in what they call 'gold-standard science' and national sovereignty. In a joint statement released on May 27 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Argentina's Ministry of Health, Kennedy and his Argentine counterpart, Mario Lugones, said the WHO had 'failed to provide critical access to information' and accused it of allowing political agendas to compromise scientific judgment. 'Our shared commitment is to cost-effective, evidence-based public health interventions,' the statement read, adding that the WHO's structure is 'increasingly reliant on voluntary contributions and vulnerable to the influence of non-scientific agendas.' Argentina's move and Kennedy's rhetoric mirror former President Trump's first break with the WHO in April 2020. At that time, Trump suspended funding and accused the agency of 'severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,' particularly its early reluctance to support travel bans from China, Politico reported. The United States was the WHO's largest donor at the time, reportedly providing over $400 million annually. The funding halt was met with fierce backlash from some in the medical community and Democratic lawmakers. Then-AMA President Patrice Harris warned the decision would undercut global efforts to combat the pandemic, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it an 'act of true senselessness.' Though President Joe Biden restored WHO membership after taking office in 2021, Trump's second administration reversed that decision within hours of inauguration in January 2025. An executive order posted to the White House website on January 20 stated the WHO 'continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States' and 'fails to demonstrate independence from inappropriate political influence.' The order also called for the reassignment of U.S. personnel working with the WHO and pledged a review of all agreements related to the WHO's proposed Pandemic Accord and International Health Regulations. Kennedy, who addressed the WHO's World Health Assembly via video last week, urged more countries to exit the agency, alleging undue influence from China, gender ideology, and the pharmaceutical industry, per The Guardian. Skepticism of the WHO has been growing in the United States since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organization supported school closures in places like Iran, despite the relative lack of risk COVID posed to children. In his May 20 video post, Kennedy said the WHO has become 'mired in bureaucratic bloat, entrenched paradigms, conflicts of interest, and international power politics,' and that its failures during COVID should serve as a wake-up call. Public support for WHO reform or withdrawal has found new allies, including activists like Diane Cotter, who thanked Kennedy in a reply on X, writing: 'We saw this firsthand when leading PFAS scientists discovered WHO was influenced by the cancer club… I await our turn at bat to expose the firefighter serial killer.' Cotter has campaigned against PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear, a cause Kennedy has previously supported. Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Houston-based ENT who made headlines for opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, responded to Kennedy's May 20 post with a series of clapping hand emojis. Argentina's health minister, Lugones, echoed Kennedy's call for a fresh start, saying the two nations would 'strengthen transparency and trust in the health system' through bilateral cooperation. Both nations now aim to rally others behind their cause. '[We]… invite all nations committed to scientific integrity, transparency, and the defense of human dignity to join us in shaping a new era of global health cooperation,' their joint statement declared.
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Health
- Japan Forward
To Reform WHO, Prevent US Withdrawal, Taiwan's Exclusion
このページを 日本語 で読む Taking in the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopted the Pandemic Accord. It calls for strengthening measures to improve international cooperation to prevent and respond to future pandemics. For example, it promotes the transfer of technology and knowledge related to vaccine manufacturing to developing countries. Likewise, it advocates for the rapid sharing of information on pathogens. We remember the challenges and welcome the adoption of the accord. After all, viruses recognize no borders. That's why the denial of Taiwan's participation as an observer in the WHO General Assembly is so problematic. Once again, as in the past, this was due to obstruction from China. Eight countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, issued a joint press statement contending that excluding Taiwan was "completely unjustified." Nevertheless, Taiwan remains excluded from the General Assembly. World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (©Kyodo) A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson declared that Taiwan has sufficient unimpeded channels to communicate and cooperate with WHO in the technical domain. Then he claimed the "so-called 'gap' in global anti-epidemic efforts is nothing but a politically-driven lie." On the contrary, the truth is that it is Beijing that is peddling political lies. China cannot be allowed to willfully create blank spaces on the world health map. Unfortunately, the United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the WHO and did not attend the WHA. In a video address to the general assembly, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr criticized the organization. "Not only has the WHO capitulated to political pressure from China, it's also failed to maintain an organization characterized by transparency and fair governance by and for its Member States," said Secretary Kennedy. He observed that the Pandemic Accord would "lock in all of the dysfunction of the WHO pandemic response." Saying, "we're not going to participate in that," he also suggested other nations consider leaving the WHO. Secretary Kennedy's views of China's influence on WHO are certainly valid. When the COVID-19 outbreak first occurred, China's government under Xi Jinping failed to disclose information promptly. The time lag allowed the virus to spread around the world with calamitous results. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy. (©Getty via Kyodo） WHO's declaration of a global health emergency was also delayed. Despite those facts, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus bent over backwards to please China in words and deeds. He even commended China for taking "swift and effective measures" after its repeated failures. Meanwhile, the US is a major manufacturer of vaccines. Its withdrawal from the WHO will create a tremendous vacuum. Moreover, China will replace the US as the number one contributor to the WHO budget, further increasing Beijing's influence. In that case, the WHO will lose even more transparency and fair governance. Such an outcome would not be desirable for either the world or America itself. Washington should reconsider its withdrawal from WHO and act responsibly as a member of the international community. Japan, the United States, Europe, and other nations must work together to reform the WHO. Simultaneously, they should begin planning for the election of WHO's next director general in 2027. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the 2025 WHA and met with Tedros. He told the director general, "China stands ready to work with the WHO to promote the building of a global community of health for all." The fact is, however, that a WHO led by China will do the exact opposite. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India bats for equitable access to medical countermeasures at Geneva summit
NEW DELHI: Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Wednesday reiterated India's strong support for a legal, binding framework that enhances global cooperation while respecting national sovereignty and capacities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The pandemic agreement must ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures, timely and transparent data and pathogen sharing; and promote technology sharing and capacity building, particularly for the Global South,' she said, while addressing the plenary session of the 78th World Health Assembly. Srivastava concluded her address by congratulating the WHO and member states on the historic progress made toward advancing the Pandemic Treaty, which aims to confront future health challenges together with a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. Director-general of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for virtually joining the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly that adopted the Pandemic Agreement. The World Health Organisation (WHO) member states on Tuesday unanimously adopted the world's first Pandemic Agreement in a move to bolster global collaboration and ensure a stronger and more equitable response to future pandemics. 'Namaste, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for joining us virtually at a historic #WHA78 when the #PandemicAccord was adopted. We are grateful for #India's commitment and support to @WHO,' Tedros posted on X. In his video message during Tuesday's session, Modi said that the future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, an integrated vision and collaboration. He asserted that India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models to meet health challenges of the Global South and also highlighted how this year's theme of 'One World for Health' aligns with India's vision for global health.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Grateful for India's commitment, support to Pandemic Accord: WHO chief
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has thanked India for its commitment and support to the historic Pandemic Accord. After three years of negotiations, the Agreement was adopted by consensus by member countries of the WHO at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva this week. India is also a signatory to this treaty, which has been in talks since the Covid-19 outbreak, which killed millions of people worldwide. The treaty aims to bridge global healthcare gaps and inequities in case of future pandemics. 'Namaste, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for joining us virtually at a historic 78th WHA when the Pandemic Accord was adopted. We are grateful for India's commitment and support to the WHO,' the WHO chief said in a post on social media platform X. Addressing the WHA, via videoconferencing, PM Modi said the WHO Pandemic Treaty is a shared commitment that requires greater global cooperation. 'The WHO Pandemic Treaty is a shared commitment to fighting future pandemics through greater global cooperation,' said PM Modi, while extending his congratulations on the successful negotiations of the treaty. He also expressed India's willingness to share its learnings and best practices with the world, especially with the Global South. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of building a healthy planet while ensuring that no one is left behind. 'The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, an integrated vision, and collaboration," he said. Meanwhile, the Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, who led the Indian delegation at the WHA also congratulated the WHO and member states on the historic progress made toward advancing the Pandemic Treaty. Srivastava emphasised the importance of confronting future health challenges with a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. 'The Pandemic agreement must ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures, timely and transparent data and pathogen sharing; and promote technology sharing and capacity building, particularly for the Global South,' she said. She also reaffirmed India's commitment to global health equity at the 78th WHA.
Deccan Herald
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
WHO Chief Tedros lauds PM Modi for supporting Pandemic Accord
Namaste 🙏, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for joining us virtually at a historic #WHA78 when the #PandemicAccord was adopted. We are grateful for #India 's commitment and support to @WHO. — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 21, 2025
