The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered its employees to cease all collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) immediately.
According to a report by the Associated Press, John Nkengasong, a senior CDC official, issued a memo on Sunday night instructing all staff to halt their involvement with the WHO. The directive affects CDC staff engaged with the WHO through technical working groups, advisory boards, cooperative agreements, or other forms of collaboration, whether in-person or virtual. The memo also prohibits CDC staff from visiting WHO offices.
This decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive to withdraw the United States from the WHO.
U.S. Withdrawal from the WHO
As reported earlier, President Trump signed a series of executive orders following his inauguration, including one formalizing the U.S. withdrawal from the global health body. The move has drawn widespread criticism from global health experts, leaders, and stakeholders, who argue it will hinder international health efforts.
President Trump defended the decision, citing the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to implement necessary reforms, and what he described as undue political influence from its member states.
“The organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its lack of independence from inappropriate political influences, and its failure to adopt critical reforms are the reasons for this decision,” the executive order stated.
WHO Responds
In response, the WHO called for constructive dialogue with the U.S., emphasizing the importance of their decades-long partnership in safeguarding global health.
The organization highlighted the U.S.’s critical role in addressing health crises, strengthening health systems, and responding to emergencies worldwide.
“With the participation of the United States and other member states, WHO has implemented the most extensive reforms in its history over the past seven years, aimed at improving accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact. We remain hopeful that the U.S. will reconsider this decision and continue to support global health efforts,” the WHO said in a statement.
The WHO stressed the importance of collaboration between the U.S. and the global health body, citing the need to protect the health and well-being of millions worldwide.
