US withdrawal from WHO will impact future pandemic management: Soumya Swaminathan

Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist of the World Health Organization, has said that the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization will have a “definite impact” on the management of future pandemics, reported The Indian Express on Thursday.

“Health emergencies due to emerging and existing pathogens can arise in any part of the world and travel quickly,” Swaminathan was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “We need to work together on early warning systems.”

She added that a pandemic treaty was being negotiated to strengthen prevention and preparedness responses, surveillance, data sharing, equitable access and producing counter-measures quickly.

“The exit of the US will have a definite impact on everyone,” said Swaminathan.

Shortly after being sworn in as the United States president, Donald Trump on Monday signed an orderwithdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, citing alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic by the global health agency.

The previous Trump administration had taken steps to withdraw from the organisation in 2020 and had suspended funding to the organisation. However, after taking charge as the 46th US president in 2021, Joe Biden reversed the withdrawal.

According to Swaminathan, Washington’s exit from the WHO would have a significant impact on global health security as the agency relies on technical inputs, funding and scientific contributions from the US.

“Most committees that make…

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