Former Nigerian Senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has described the formal withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) as an “unfortunate” development and a significant threat to global health solidarity.
In a statement issued on Monday, Sani criticized the move, emphasizing that international cooperation is paramount in tackling health crises, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The decision by the United States to leave the WHO is not just a blow to the organization but to the entire framework of global health collaboration,” Sani stated. “At a time when nations need to unite against common threats like pandemics, this withdrawal sends a wrong signal and weakens our collective defense.”
The U.S. government initiated its withdrawal from the UN health agency earlier this year, a process that became official this week. The move has sparked widespread concern among global health leaders and diplomats.
Sani, known for his forthright commentary, argued that the exit could undermine vital programs, including vaccine distribution and disease surveillance in vulnerable regions, and called for diplomatic efforts to reverse the decision.
“The world looks to America for leadership in times of crisis. Abandoning the WHO is a abdication of that responsibility and poses a real danger to health security worldwide,” he added.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are attributable to Senator Shehu Sani as contained in his public statement. CDA News Nigeria reports this as a statement of opinion within the framework of news reporting on public commentary.
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