Argentina confirms departure from World Health Organization
The Argentine government has formally ratified its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) during a visit by U.S. Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Buenos Aires. This move follows the U.S. government's previous announcement of its own withdrawal from the WHO.
President Javier Milei's administration criticized the WHO for being driven by political interests and bureaucratic inertia rather than science. They specifically condemned the WHO's management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Argentine Health Minister Mario Lugones and Kennedy met to discuss a joint agenda that aims to strengthen transparency and trust in their health systems.
Both Argentina and the U.S. have expressed concerns over the WHO's perceived politicization and inefficacy, particularly in light of the pandemic response. They aim to establish a new global health network characterized by greater autonomy and responsibility. Argentina announced a "structural review" of its national health agencies to improve transparency, update regulations, and streamline its health system.
Kennedy, appointed under the Trump administration, is known for his skepticism towards pandemic mandates. He has accused the WHO of undue influence by China, gender ideology, and pharmaceutical companies. Kennedy called on WHO member states to also consider withdrawing from the organization during the adoption of a global pandemic agreement last Tuesday in Geneva.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP.
- The Commission, in light of the ongoing concerns over the World Health Organization's (WHO) perceived politicization and inefficacy, might be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, focusing on the need for evidence-based policy-and-legislation in health-and-wellness, particularly in the context of medical-conditions.
- The Argentine government's decision to withdraw from the WHO and the U.S. government's previous announcement of its own withdrawal have sparked a wave of general-news discussions, with many questioning the role of politics in global health institutions and advocating for a shift towards a more autonomous and responsible global health network.
- As Argentina reviews its national health agencies to improve transparency, update regulations, and streamline its health system, the focus on science and evidence-based decision-making in health policy becomes increasingly important, especially in dealing with complex medical-conditions such as those related to ionizing radiation exposure.
