U S Exit from WHO Threatens Disease Control Efforts in Sierra Leone

The United States has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a decision public health experts warn could have far-reaching implications for healthcare delivery and disease control in low- and middle-income countries, including Sierra Leone.
The withdrawal, confirmed by the Trump administration last week, ends nearly eight decades of U.S. membership in the global health body. U.S. officials cited concerns over WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside broader issues of accountability and governance. Historically, the United States has been one of WHO’s largest contributors, providing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to support global disease surveillance, vaccination programmes, emergency response, and technical assistance.
Health authorities in Sierra Leone caution that the move could place additional strain on the country’s already fragile health system. WHO plays a critical role in supporting immunisation programmes for diseases such as measles and polio, as well as coordinating COVID-19 response efforts. The organisation also contributes to combating malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV through technical guidance, coordination, and access to essential medicines.