The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation condemns the decision of the Trump administration to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) during a global pandemic that has so far taken the lives of over 500 000 people around the world. As well as placing devastating strain on health systems around the world, the pandemic is also having profound implications on responses to other public health issues, including HIV/AIDS and TB.
“The Coronavirus pandemic requires unprecedented levels of international cooperation and the WHO plays a critical role in this. Countries like the US should be lending their significant influence and power to support and strengthen this cooperation. Their decision to withdraw from the WHO is dangerous and has the potential to cost even more lives in the United States and the world,” says DTHF COO Linda-Gail Bekker.
The DTHF urges the Trump Administration to reverse this decision and work to ensure effective global collaboration during the COVID-19 response.
