U.S. WHO exit jeopardizes Africa, says health body

24/1/2025 6:22

The U.S. plan to withdraw from the World Health Organization will squeeze Africa's health initiatives, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday, calling on African countries to find alternative sources of financing.



U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the WHO exit on Monday, shortly after his inauguration to a second term.



The concerns raised by Africa's leading public health officials are a sign of the potential impact of the U.S. decision on the U.N. agency's ability to fight diseases and respond to emergencies round the globe without its biggest funder.



Africa CDC senior official Ngashi Ngongo said many countries had been relying on U.S. investment via the WHO to fund public health drives.