In a decisive move, President Donald Trump has signed an order that sets the United States on a course to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
This action has led to immediate changes within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where officials have been instructed to cease all collaborative efforts with the WHO.
A memorandum was circulated to CDC staff this week, directing them to halt their work with the global health agency and to anticipate further instructions.
John Nkengasong, a leading figure at the CDC, communicated the directive to senior staff, emphasizing the need to “await further guidance” before resuming any form of collaboration with the WHO. This decision follows Trump’s executive order, which criticized the WHO for its “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises.”
The directive is comprehensive, affecting all CDC employees involved in various collaborative engagements with the WHO. This includes technical working groups, advisory boards, and other forms of cooperation, whether conducted in person or virtually. Additionally, CDC personnel are now restricted from visiting WHO offices.
In a broader context, the Trump administration has imposed a temporary halt on all communications and publications from key health agencies, including the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This suspension, announced by acting Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Dorothy Fink, is set to last until at least February 1. However, Fink noted that exceptions could be made for communications critical to health, safety, and national security, subject to prior approval.
This development is part of a series of measures taken by Trump in relation to federal health agencies. Notably, the administration has also suspended funding for an anti-HIV program initiated by President George W. Bush, as part of a broader 90-day freeze on foreign aid.
The withdrawal process from the WHO involves a 12-month notice period, during which the U.S. must continue to fulfill its financial commitments to the organization. Despite not taking immediate effect, the decision requires Congressional approval to be finalized.
The WHO has expressed disappointment over the U.S.’s decision, stating that it “regrets the announcement” and hopes for continued dialogue to preserve the partnership, which benefits global health.
In the wake of these changes, Trump has appointed Dorothy Fink as the interim HHS Secretary. Fink, an experienced endocrinologist and civil servant, previously led the HHS Office on Women’s Health. Her interim role will continue as Senate confirmation hearings commence for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for the HHS leadership.
Other key appointments by Trump include former Florida congressman and medical doctor Dave Weldon to head the CDC, and Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary to lead the FDA. Both appointments await Senate confirmation.
Additionally, Trump has made headlines by removing Secret Service protection for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key figure during the COVID-19 pandemic. When questioned about this decision, Trump stated, “You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government.”
The Epoch Times reached out to both the WHO and the CDC for comments on these recent developments, while the Associated Press also contributed to this unfolding story.
