Germany is making efforts to persuade President Donald Trump to rethink his decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The German health minister, Karl Lauterbach, expressed concerns over the potential consequences of the US pulling out of the global health agency.
Lauterbach emphasized that the US's withdrawal from WHO would have a significant impact on the international efforts to combat health crises worldwide. He highlighted the crucial role of US contributions in supporting countries affected by infectious diseases, environmental disasters, famine, war, and natural disasters.
The health minister warned that the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, including children, could be at risk if the US follows through with its withdrawal from WHO. Germany is determined to engage with President Trump in an attempt to reverse this decision and maintain collaboration on global health issues.
Despite the potential withdrawal of the US, Lauterbach affirmed that Germany would continue to work closely with the US on global health matters. He stressed that global health security is a shared interest among all nations, including the United States.
President Trump's executive order to withdraw from WHO, signed on his first day back in office, cited concerns over the organization's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. The decision was based on allegations of mismanagement, the need for reforms, and perceived political influence within WHO member states.
