WHO Chief Rejects US Claims Over Withdrawal, Says Reasons Are “Untrue”
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has dismissed the reasons given by the United States for withdrawing from the UN health agency, describing Washington’s claims as “untrue.”
Speaking on Saturday, Tedros warned that the US decision to formally exit the WHO would make “both the US and the world less safe.” In a post on X, he said the justifications cited by US officials did not reflect reality, stressing that the WHO has always engaged with the United States and all member states “with full respect for their sovereignty.”
The response followed a joint announcement on Thursday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., confirming that Washington had formally withdrawn from the WHO. The officials accused the agency of multiple failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and of repeatedly acting against US interests.
In a statement, the WHO rejected those accusations, insisting that it had consistently sought to work with the United States in good faith, as it does with all member states. The agency strongly denied claims that its handling of the pandemic obstructed the timely sharing of critical information or concealed shortcomings that could have saved lives.
Kennedy, in a video posted on X, blamed the WHO for deaths in nursing homes and economic damage caused by pandemic-related measures, arguing that the withdrawal was necessary to protect American sovereignty and restore control of public health decisions to the US.
Tedros countered that the claims contained “inaccurate information,” saying the WHO acted swiftly during the pandemic, shared information transparently, and issued guidance based on the best available scientific evidence. The agency clarified that while it recommended measures such as mask use, vaccination, and physical distancing, it never imposed mandates or lockdowns, noting that such decisions were made by sovereign governments.
The dispute comes as the US withdrawal process reaches its conclusion, a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the move. However, the WHO noted that Washington has not fully met its financial obligations, with unpaid dues for 2024 and 2025 amounting to about $260 million.
The WHO said the withdrawal raises legal and procedural issues that will be reviewed by its Executive Board next month and by the World Health Assembly in May. Tedros expressed hope that the United States would eventually resume active participation in the organisation.
“Meanwhile, WHO remains committed to working with all countries to achieve the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people,” he said.
