African healthcare at a crossroads after United States pulls WHO funding

A health worker at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi takes oxygen cylinders to Covid-19 wards during the pandemic in January 2021.

Africa's reliance on World Health Organization support faces a critical test after Donald Trump withdrew the United States – and the considerable funding it contributes – from the global body. The move could have serious consequences across the continent, but one senior African health official told RFI it could also push African nations to take greater control of their health systems.

Between 2022 and 2023, Washington contributed $1.28 billion to the World Health Organization (WHO) – more than any other country.

But hours after taking office on Monday, Donald Trump signed an executive order announcing that the United States was leaving the WHO and taking its funding with it, citing dissatisfaction over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the inequality of contributions.

China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO," the order read.

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On Wednesday, the African Union expressed dismay over the withdrawal, urging the Trump administration to reconsider.

RFI spoke to Professor Yap Boum II, deputy coordinator of the CDC's mpox response unit.

RFI: What are your thoughts on the decision announced by the new American president?


Read more on RFI English

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