About one month ago, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization. This was not a completely unexpected decision – Mr. Trump had taken steps during his first term to do so too, but the Biden administration had chosen not to exit. The WHO has called for the US to reconsider its decision – the US is the largest contributor of funds to the WHO. In the weeks since Mr. Trump’s announcement, the WHO has said it plans to cut down on spending significantly – but the larger question remains of how this move is going to impact global health. 

Another hit to health has been Mr. Trump’s decision to temporarily suspend all USAID activity – USAID also works in the area of health in a number of countries – and this decision has thrown into turmoil programmes for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, vaccinations, hygiene and sanitation and others. What is the near future of global health going to look like? Is it possible the US will reconsider its decision? Is the world overly reliant on the US and is it now time for other countries to step up?

Guest: Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya a medical doctor and a specialist in global health, with nearly 17 years of professional work experience with the United Nations system including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Edited by Jude Francis Weston