Argentina's President has made the decision to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization (WHO) citing 'profound differences' with the U.N. agency. This move follows a similar decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to initiate the withdrawal of the United States from WHO. The withdrawal of Argentina as a member country will impact global health cooperation, although the country's financial contribution to WHO was relatively small, around $8 million out of the agency's estimated $6.9 billion budget for 2024-2025.
The decision to withdraw was based on disagreements in health management, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President's spokesperson stated that Argentina objected to WHO guidelines that led to extensive shutdowns, which were deemed excessive. The spokesperson emphasized that Argentina will not allow international organizations to interfere with its sovereignty, especially in matters of health.
It is important to note that WHO does not have the authority to enforce specific health actions on countries, and its guidelines are often not universally followed. The organization is primarily responsible for coordinating global responses to health crises, including outbreaks of new diseases and ongoing threats like Ebola and AIDS.
The President's criticism of lockdown measures implemented by the previous administration during the pandemic was highlighted, with claims that the measures negatively impacted the economy and were used for repressive purposes. The decision to withdraw from WHO does not affect the quality of health services in Argentina, as the country does not rely on WHO funding for health management.
Argentina's government had previously declined to sign an agreement for pandemic management within the WHO framework, citing concerns about potential impacts on national sovereignty. The announcement of the withdrawal from WHO comes ahead of the President's upcoming trip to the U.S., coinciding with a summit of right-wing leaders in Washington.
