US aid freeze can impact global health: WHO chief

KABUL (Pajhwok): The World Health Organisation (WHO) fears the United States’ pause on foreign aid leads to a serious impact on global health.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday urged the US to consider resuming aid funding until a solution could be found, Reuters reported.

"There are actions that the US government is taking... which we're concerned are having a serious impact on global health," said Tedros in a virtual press conference from Geneva.

Efforts to tackle HIV, polio, mpox and avian flu were all impacted by the US foreign aid pause implemented by President Trump last month shortly after he took office.

In particular, Tedros said, the suspension of funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) had caused an immediate stop to HIV treatment, testing and prevention services in the 50 countries it supports.

Trump began the process of pulling the United States out from WHO with an executive order on his first day back in office on Jan. 21.

After Trump, Argentina President Javier Milei has also ordered the country’s withdrawal from WHO.

sa/mud