The United States has withdrawn from reforms introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last year to enhance the global response to pandemics, as part of a broader push by Washington against international regulations. The administration of President Donald Trump formally rejected the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) that were implemented following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy announced the decision, citing concerns about international bureaucrats influencing US domestic health policies. The amendments aimed to enhance the international response to future pandemics by defining pandemic emergencies, improving information-sharing, and ensuring equitable access to medical products for developing countries.
The US officials criticized the amendments, stating that the terminology was vague and broad, potentially shifting the focus of international responses to political issues rather than swift and effective actions. The contentious political landscape in the US during the pandemic saw disagreements over lockdowns and vaccine mandates, with right-wing activists opposing such measures.
US conservatives have historically been wary of multilateral institutions, viewing international rules as encroachments on national sovereignty. Advocates of global health regulations argue that pandemics require collaborative international efforts since diseases do not respect borders.
President Trump announced earlier this year that the US would withdraw from the WHO by January 2026. The recent rejection of the amendments by the US government was based on concerns that the changes would compel countries to adopt digital health documents, potentially infringing on Americans’ privacy and personal liberties.
While the reforms aimed to develop a database for digital health certificates accessible internationally, participation was voluntary, with individuals choosing to submit information. During the pandemic, many countries, including the US under Trump’s administration, required travelers to provide negative COVID test results.
In a separate move, the US abstained in May when WHO adopted an agreement to enhance pandemic preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, claimed millions of lives globally and severely disrupted economies and societies worldwide.
Global health experts emphasize the importance of international cooperation in combating pandemics, underscoring the need for unified responses and information-sharing across nations. As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, discussions on pandemic preparedness and response mechanisms remain critical for safeguarding global health security.
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