European health authorities urge greater WHO support
Six European national health authorities have called for increased European engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the potential withdrawal of the US
- HELSINKI — Six European national health authorities have called for increased
European engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the
potential withdrawal of the US.
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- The heads of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
(THL) and five other European national health institutions published an open
letter in the prestigious Lancet journal, highlighting the challenges posed by
a possible US exit. The letter emphasised that European nations must swiftly
assume a greater role within the WHO, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- According to a press release issued Saturday by THL, the
letter urged European countries not only to increase their financial
contributions to WHO but also to send more experts to the organisation. The
appeal was co-signed by the national health institutions of Norway, Denmark,
France, Austria, and Portugal.
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- A stronger European commitment to WHO would "stabilize
the organization" and ensure "that its values continue to shape
global health policy," the letter stated.
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- The US has been WHO's largest financial contributor and
supplies hundreds of experts to the organisation. The letter warned that WHO's
heavy reliance on the US poses a significant risk, a concern that is now
materialising.
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- Despite its global mandate, WHO operates on an annual budget
of approximately $3 billion, which remains modest in international terms. The
US withdrawal would leave a substantial financial and expertise gap, the
signatories noted.
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- WHO plays a crucial role in managing health crises related
to epidemics and natural disasters worldwide. It also carries out vital public
health initiatives in less-developed countries, such as maternal health
programs and childhood vaccinations.
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- US President Donald Trump announced at the end of January
that the country would withdraw from WHO at the beginning of 2026.
