March 16, Kathmandu – On Tuesday, Argentina formally withdrew its membership from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Following the United States, Argentina has also renounced its WHO membership. The United States made this decision earlier this year.
The government of Argentine President Javier Milei, known to be closely allied with former US President Donald Trump, had announced a year ago that it would leave the United Nations health agency, criticizing the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the withdrawal process has been completed within the timeframe set by international treaties.
“Argentina will fully safeguard its sovereignty and the freedom to make decisions about its health policies, while continuing international health cooperation through bilateral agreements and regional platforms,” Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stated on the social media platform X.
Last year, Argentina declared that the WHO’s recommendations were not based on science but on political interests, rendering them ineffective.
After Trump’s return to the White House, he signed an executive order to withdraw from the multinational organization; consequently, the United States formally announced its exit from the WHO in January.
The World Health Organization has played a crucial role in combating diseases such as smallpox, polio, HIV, Ebola, and tuberculosis, as well as managing public health risks.
In January, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep regret over the decision, stating that it would leave the United States and the world less safe. – RASAS
