US Cuts Ties with WHO: What This Means for Global and Africa Health
By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer.
In a surprising move, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been ordered to halt all communications with the World Health Organization (WHO).
This directive follows an executive order from newly installed 47th President of the United States, President Donald Trump, officially withdrawing the U.S from the global health agency.
While this decision may seem like a distant political issue, it has significant consequences for global health—including Africa, which relies heavily on international partnerships for disease surveillance and response.
So, what does this mean and why should you care?
While it can be conceded that the CDC serves primarily US national security interests, it has worked together with the WHO for decades to monitor and control deadly infectious diseases globally. The CDC has offices in over 60 countries, helping to detect and contain outbreaks before they become global threats. WHO, on the other hand, serves as the world’s central body for coordinating health responses across countries.
When these two organisations collaborate, the world benefits.
They exchange critical data, share expertise and respond to pandemics as a united front. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership played a key role in tracking the spread of the virus, developing safety guidelines and coordinating vaccine distribution.
Now that the U.S is severing ties, this global cooperation is under threat.
Experts warn that this decision could have serious consequences, not just for the U.S but for global health. Here’s why:
Deadly viruses like Ebola, Bird flu and Lassa fever spread rapidly. The sooner a country detects and reports an outbreak, the better the chances of containing it. Without U.S assistance, the WHO may face delays in gathering data and responding to new threats.
For African nations that depend on WHO’s early warning systems, this could mean delayed alerts about emerging diseases.
The U.S. is one of the biggest financial contributors to WHO, funding crucial programs that support disease prevention, maternal health and vaccine access. Without these funds, WHO’s ability to assist developing nations, including many in Africa, could be weakened.
For instance, programs that track malaria, tuberculosis and HIV may face budget cuts, affecting millions of people who rely on them for survival.
Viruses don’t recognize borders. If one country fails to control an outbreak, it can quickly spread worldwide. Experts have compared this move to “quitting the fight while the enemy is still attacking.” Diseases don’t wait for politics—they continue to spread regardless of government decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how interconnected the world is. A health crisis in one country can quickly become a global problem. With less coordination between WHO and CDC, it may take longer to identify and stop new disease threats before they become widespread.
Dr. Lawrence Gostin, a global health expert, believes there are better ways for the U.S. to negotiate its relationship with WHO rather than completely cutting ties. He argues that the CDC should remain engaged while working out any disagreements.
“If you want to figure out what your future relationship is with WHO, you stay in the fight until you figure it out,” he said. “You don’t just quit the battle while you’re still trying to figure something out.”
For African countries, the silver lining in President Trump’s action is, it may be time to strengthen local health institutions and diversify partnerships. Depending too much on international bodies that are subject to political shifts can leave national health systems vulnerable.
While the situation is not of Africa’s making, governments and health agencies in Africa should reassess their depency on foreign countries and health institutions and begin to take steps to protect public health in African countries as follows:
African nations can enhance disease surveillance and response by working closely with existing and new regional organizations like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
African nations need to boost budgetary allocation (i.e. funding) for investments in local disease surveillance and laboratory networks that reduce reliance on external organizations. Such investments should include capacity building and improvements in diverse public health infrastructures.
Broaden collaborative ties as needed with other global health players who may step in to fill some gaps left by the U.S withdrawal.
Prioritise self-reliance through education of their citizenry about disease prevention, proper hygiene and vaccination to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
The decision by the U.S to withdraw from WHO and stop CDC’s collaboration is a setback for global health. However, it also serves as a wake-up call for African nations to become more self-reliant in health security.
Diseases don’t care about politics or borders. Whether or not the CDC and WHO work together, viruses will continue to emerge. The best defense for African countries are well-funded, capable and independent local health systems working together across the continent to detect and contain regional outbreaks and spread quickly.
As Africa navigates this uncertain future, one thing remains clear: global cooperation is essential for protecting lives. Cutting off communication between the world’s top health agencies may serve some unspecified geopolitical agenda, it however creates unnecessary global health risks, and highlights the need for Africa to invest in its own health security.
The battle against infectious diseases is far from over. The question is—are African countries prepared to take responsibility for their respective national health security interests?
Published: February 4, 2025
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