Argentina pulls out of WHO, following US move

By Jacinth Banite

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has to cross out another American nation from its list of members, as Argentina ratified its withdrawal from the United Nations agency on May 26, following a similar move by the United States in January under the re-elected Donald Trump administration. 

Justifying its departure from the WHO in a statement, the government of President Javier Milei said the organisation’s “prescriptions do not work because they are not based on science but on political interests and bureaucratic structures that refuse to review their own mistakes.”

Buenos Aires first hinted at exiting the WHO in February, citing “deep differences” in regards to the agency’s handling of health issues, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, when years-long “caveman quarantine” was enforced. 

The mulling came weeks after Washington issued an executive order officialising its exit from the same organisation on January 20, Trump’s first day in office. 

The White House similarly accused the WHO of “mishandling the COVID19-pandemic… and other global health crises,” and being unable to “demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.”

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“Beginning of a new path”

The withdrawal of the two allied nations from the WHO was among the key agendas during the state visit of US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, to Buenos Aires from May 25 to 27, during which he held a meeting with Argentinian Minister of Health Mario Lugones. 

In a joint statement published May 27, the state representatives described the withdrawals as “the beginning of a new path” between Argentina and the US, noting it would lead both nations “toward building a modern global health cooperation model grounded in scientific integrity, transparency, sovereignty and accountability.”

“Our shared commitment is to cost-effective, evidence-based public health interventions that prioritise prevention, especially in children, by addressing root causes such as environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and food safety standards,” the statement reads.

It said the US’ exit from the agency marks “historic progress” in the so-called “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, in reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign. 

“Deepening collaboration with partners who share these principles will drive innovation, reduce costs, and help build a stronger, healthier future,” it says. 

“The Argentine government, for its part, inherited a devastated healthcare system and is now making rapid progress in rebuilding and strengthening it, with a renewed focus on transparency and quality care for all citizens,” it added.

Argentina and the United States were among the first countries to join the World Health Organisation when it was established in 1948, according to UN Research Guides.

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