● Says over seven decades of partnership brought int’l health victories
● Move could strain Nigeria’s healthcare system, experts warn
● Ashiru: U.S. absence from WHO unlikely to disrupt Africa’s health priorities
● NARD president calls for regional body to address continent’s unique needs
● Questions raised over China, India’s future role in umbrella body
● Trump overturns Biden’s policies with flurry of executive orders
The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday expressed “regrets” over the announcement by the United States of America to withdraw from the global health watchdog.
An executive order formalising the U.S. withdrawal, signed shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, had cited the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and failure to implement necessary reforms. Trump criticised the WHO’s payment structure, claiming the U.S. contributes “unfairly onerous payments” while countries like China pay significantly less.
In a post on X, the WHO noted that the U.S., a founding member in 1948, had “participated in shaping and governing the organisation’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board.”
It recalled that “for over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together, we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.”
Therefore, the health body hoped “the United States would reconsider” its position, adding, “We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
Expectedly, Trump’s withdrawal decision has sparked global debate, with experts warning of significant consequences for international health cooperation.
As one of the largest contributors to WHO programmes, the U.S. action raises critical questions about the future of global health collaboration, particularly for countries like Nigeria that rely heavily on the organisation’s support.
While some public health leaders have downplayed the decision’s impact, others warn that it could disrupt healthcare initiatives in Nigeria, especially in areas such as HIV research and epidemic management. Experts are increasingly concerned about the strain this development could place on Nigeria’s fragile health infrastructure, which depends significantly on external assistance and expertise.
Bartholomew Ochonye, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Heartland Alliance, an NGO affiliated with Heartland Alliance International in Chicago, described the U.S. withdrawal as potentially devastating for Nigeria.
Ochonye highlighted the critical role the WHO plays in providing guidelines for managing both emerging and chronic infections, including HIV, and noted that much of Nigeria’s public health research is supported by the organisation.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ochonye expressed concern about the possibility of other countries reconsidering their support for the WHO after Trump’s decision. He noted that the U.S. is viewed as a global role model, and its departure could have significant ripple effects, particularly for nations like Nigeria that depend on international partnerships for public health initiatives.
Ochonye also underscored the lack of robust public health research infrastructure and adequate funding in Nigeria’s health sector, which makes the country heavily reliant on WHO guidance. He raised questions about whether countries such as China or India might step into a greater leadership role within the WHO and expressed uncertainty over the conditions that might be attached to potential funding from these nations.
However, Ochonye suggested that legal challenges could arise if Trump’s decision conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. He advised Nigeria to carefully assess the situation and prepare for any potential fallout, stressing the importance of developing proactive strategies to address disruptions to the country’s health sector.
The President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Prof Oladapo Ashiru, stated that WHO will continue to function effectively, despite the United States’ withdrawal.
Speaking with The Guardian, Ashiru expressed confidence that the withdrawal would not significantly affect global health efforts. He explained that the WHO is a coalition of nations working collectively to address global health challenges. According to him, the absence of the U.S. would not create a major disruption, as each country should prioritise tackling its health problems and building local expertise to address these issues effectively.
Ashiru emphasised that African nations, for instance, should focus on their unique health challenges rather than being overly concerned about the U.S.’s position in the WHO. He highlighted issues such as obesity, which are significant in the U.S., do not necessarily align with Africa’s primary health concerns.
In his view, the U.S. withdrawal would have little impact on Africa. Regarding financial contributions to the WHO, Ashiru criticised the disparity between the amounts paid by member countries. He singled out China for contributing significantly less than the U.S., despite its threefold larger population.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Osundara Zenith, also weighed in on the development, urging African nations to view it as an opportunity to improve healthcare systems across the continent.
He stressed the importance of managing Africa’s resources effectively, particularly in the context of healthcare delivery.
Zenith suggested that the withdrawal could inspire African countries, including Nigeria, to establish their own health bodies to address regional needs more efficiently. He noted that Nigeria, as a leading African nation, could spearhead collaboration with other countries on the continent to enhance healthcare delivery.
He further proposed that the African Union could be instrumental in formulating policies prioritising the continent’s health challenges, including local production of vaccines and other medical resources.
Zenith urged African leaders, particularly in Nigeria, to seize this moment to strengthen their healthcare systems by utilising available resources more effectively. He added that the situation should not be seen as a catastrophic event but as a chance for Africa to take greater control of its healthcare delivery and chart a path towards self-reliance.
The President of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PSN), Tanko Ayuba, reassured that while the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO will impact its funding, the organisation remains resilient. “The WHO does not rely solely on U.S. funding,” Ayuba said, adding that other countries are likely to fill the gap.
Ayuba explained that the U.S. has withheld funds from the WHO in the past, and both Nigeria and the organisation have adapted to continue their efforts to improve global health.
TRUE to his campaign promises, Trump issued a wave of executive orders addressing various issues, including immigration, climate policy, gender, and government reforms. His administration also reversed policies by former President Joe Biden and made controversial decisions, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
At the White House, Trump quickly began leveraging his executive powers, signing presidential memorandums and executive orders with the weight of law. However, future presidents or the courts can overturn them.
One of the key orders focused on immigration, with Trump redefining birthright citizenship and declaring illegal immigration at the United States-Mexico border a national emergency. Under this policy, federal agencies were instructed to cease issuing documentation to children born in the U.S. to parents residing illegally or on temporary visas. This measure effectively denies such children access to public services. However, Trump’s efforts to alter the definition of birthright citizenship face significant legal challenges and are already being contested in federal court.
Also, Trump signed an order designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations. “I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions,” he said. He directed the military to “seal the borders,” citing concerns over illicit drug flows, human trafficking, and related criminal activities.
His administration also swiftly dismantled CBP One, a mobile application introduced during Biden’s presidency to facilitate migrant appointments at ports of entry. The Customs and Border Protection website now states that the app is “no longer available,” with users informed that all existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are invalid.
In another move, Trump signed a proclamation granting officials the authority to “repel, repatriate, or remove” migrants until he deems the situation at the southern border under control.
Following his inauguration, Trump also ended the “catch and release” policy, which allowed migrants to live in U.S. communities while awaiting their hearings. He reiterated his pledge to “launch the largest deportation programme in American history” and end policies that restrict federal immigration authorities from conducting raids on churches and schools.
At an event in Washington, President Donald Trump formally revoked nearly 80 executive actions implemented by his predecessor, Joe Biden, fulfilling a previous vow to scrap Biden’s policies “within five minutes.”
Among the orders signed, Trump granted TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring either the sale or banning of the platform. He floated the idea of a joint venture, proposing a 50-50 partnership between “the United States” and the Chinese-owned ByteDance, though he did not provide further details on how such an arrangement would function. Trump also suggested that potential new trade tariffs on China could hinge on reaching a deal over TikTok’s ownership, warning that a rejection from Beijing “would be somewhat of a hostile act.”
Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a new advisory body tasked with cutting government costs, which is expected to be led by Elon Musk. He also issued an executive action halting any new federal hiring—except for the U.S. military and a few other categories—until his administration assumes complete control of government operations. Additionally, Trump mandated that all federal employees return to in-office work, prohibiting remote work arrangements.
A directive signed by Trump aimed to “restore freedom of speech and prevent government censorship,” instructing the attorney general to investigate officials at agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission for potential misconduct during the Biden administration.
In another executive order, Trump sought to end the “weaponisation of government against political adversaries.” The order mandates a comprehensive review of law enforcement and intelligence agencies under the Biden administration, calling for the identification of any instances of misuse of power and recommending “appropriate remedial actions” as necessary.
Trump also paused foreign aid with an order requiring a review of foreign assistance programmes. He reversed Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and signalled the potential reinstatement of sanctions against Venezuela, two nations frequently targeted during his first term.
Furthermore, Trump signed directives addressing gender and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes within the federal government, along with numerous other orders reflecting his policy priorities.