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Argentina Follows US Lead, Exits WHO Over Disagreements And Pandemic Management

February 5, 2025, 11:14 pm

Argentina announced on Wednesday that it will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing “deep differences” with the organization regarding health management, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei said his office considered withdrawing from WHO due to concern over the latter’s handling of the pandemic as well as interfering with national sovereignty. Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni added that Argentina’s government is not going to allow international institutions to dictate how it manages internal health policies.

As an “anarcho-capitalist” and a die-hard admirer of former United States President Donald Trump, Milei followed the steps of the US. Trump had issued his executive order for the US to withdraw its membership from WHO soon after his inauguration, pillorying the role played by WHO during the pandemic.

This departure leaves a big funding gap because the United States was the biggest contributor to this Geneva-based agency. Argentina’s move may add to concerns about the future of global health initiatives.

Since assuming power in December 2023, Milei has implemented austerity measures that range from cutting public spending all the way to achieve a balanced budget for Argentina. The rise in poverty was sharp enough to offset the record trade surplus reported in 2024, partly on account of reduced imports and government spending.

That made his ties with Trump especially notable when he became the first foreign leader to visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in the wake of former president’s 2024 election victory.

WHO “Regrets” Trump’s Move to Withdraw US from Organization

January 21, 2025, 4:57 pm

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep regret following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw the United States from the global health agency. WHO emphasized the critical role it plays in safeguarding global health and urged the U.S. to reconsider its decision for the benefit of millions worldwide, including American citizens.

WHO Urges Reconsideration of U.S. Decision

The organization described its indispensable role in addressing the world’s health crisis. “WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks in dangerous areas where others cannot go,” said Dr. Tedros according to a statement shared on X by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO comments on United States announcement of intent to withdraw

Geneva – The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.

WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the… pic.twitter.com/rk9xtIRC4x

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 21, 2025

The WHO also emphasized the United States’ critical role in developing the organization since its founding in 1948. “For more than seventy years, WHO and the United States have saved millions of lives, eradicated smallpox, and brought polio to the brink of extinction. American institutions have greatly contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement added.

Trump Defends Decision to Withdraw

On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order announcing withdrawal citing the WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its failure to implement necessary reforms. He had also criticized the organization’s financial structure for being inequitable where a large contribution has been required from the U.S. as opposed to other member states.

The executive order stated, “The United States notified its withdrawal from WHO in 2020 because the organization had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic that had originated in Wuhan, China, and had been unable to show independence from inappropriate political influences of member states.

Trump also cited financial disparities, saying, “The WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed contributions. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO than the U.S.”

WHO Emphasizes Achievements and Changes

The organization, in its response, underlined its commitment to accountability and cost-effectiveness while mentioning the biggest set of reforms in its history over the past seven years. The organization mentioned that such changes have brought a huge positive change in its impact across countries, and such efforts are still underway.

“WHO and the U.S. have together achieved remarkable milestones in global health. We hope the United States will reconsider and engage in constructive dialogue to preserve our partnership for the benefit of millions worldwide,” the statement concluded.

Global Implications of U.S. Withdrawal

The withdrawal of the U.S. raises a serious concern for health initiatives around the world because the country has been a significant contributor to WHO’s funding and projects. The appeal made by WHO reflects the importance of collaboration in overcoming the urgent challenges of pandemics and disease outbreaks that are transboundary.

China Urges Global Support for WHO After U.S. Exit

January 21, 2025, 2:07 pm

China’s foreign ministry issued a stark statement on Tuesday urging the international community to strengthen the WHO, not weaken it. It was her answer to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would withdraw from the agency, thus setting into motion globe-encircling discussions about the future of international health governance.

Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun further underscored the importance of global cooperation in all efforts to address health challenges and reiterated commitment to China’s support for WHO’s critical role in global crises. China’s stance indicates that there should be still cooperation to ensure a well-coordinated global response to health issues.

“The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. “China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity” he added.

US Exit from WHO

The decision by the United States to pull out from the World Health Organization has indeed made it extremely imperative that some would look in future towards globalization regarding health policy issues. First proposed by US President Donald Trump, this measure alleged that the organization mismanaged and had poor preparation strategies when initially confronting the new Covid-19 situation.To argue that withdrawing will reduce global collaborative endeavors that threaten solutions for universal issues.

The United States’ exit, stripping these institutions of the much-needed funds, has initiated debates around the world regarding international institutions’ place in addressing health crises and what role nations could play to maintain public health security in the future.

China Claims Full Disclosure on Covid-19 Origins, WHO Urges Further Data Access

December 31, 2024, 3:43 pm

Beijing has firmly stated that it has shared information regarding Covid-19 “without holding anything back,” following a recent appeal from the World Health Organization (WHO) for China to provide additional data to better understand the origins of the disease. Covid-19, which first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019, has since resulted in millions of deaths, devastated economies, and overwhelmed healthcare systems worldwide.

In a statement released on Monday, the WHO emphasized the “moral and scientific imperative” for China to enhance its data sharing. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning defended the country’s transparency, asserting that China has made the “largest contribution to global origin tracing research.”

“Five years ago, China immediately shared epidemic information and viral gene sequences with the WHO and the international community,” Mao stated during a regular press briefing. “Without holding anything back, we shared our prevention, control, and treatment experience.”

Despite these claims, the WHO has repeatedly criticized Chinese authorities for their perceived lack of transparency and cooperation throughout the pandemic. In early 2021, a team of specialists from the WHO, accompanied by Chinese colleagues, investigated the origins of the virus. Their joint report suggested that the virus likely transmitted from bats to humans through an intermediary animal, possibly at a market. However, since that investigation, a WHO team has not been able to return to China, and officials have continued to request additional data.

Mao further stated that “more and more clues” indicate that COVID-19’s origins have a “global scope.” She expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with various parties to promote global scientific origin tracing and to take proactive measures to prevent potential infectious diseases in the future.

Pandemic Preparedness and Future Agreements

This month, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the world would still face vulnerabilities similar to those that allowed Covid-19 to spread if a new pandemic were to emerge today. However, he noted that significant lessons have been learned from the pandemic, leading to steps taken to strengthen defenses against future epidemics.

In December 2021, in response to the devastation caused by Covid-19, countries began drafting an accord focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The WHO’s 194 member states have largely agreed on the treaty’s contents, but negotiations have stalled on practicalities, particularly regarding the obligation to quickly share emerging pathogens and the benefits derived from them, such as vaccines. The deadline for finalizing these negotiations is set for May 2025.

Scientists Raise Alarm as Key Malaria Drug Shows Reduced Effectiveness in Africa

November 15, 2024, 2:23 pm

Scientists have raised concerns that the battle against malaria in Africa could be growing more difficult. A recent study reveals that a crucial drug used to treat malaria, artemisinin, is becoming less effective in children with severe infections. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study shows that children have developed resistance to artemisinin, a medication known for its rapid action against most malaria parasites. While resistance to this drug was first observed in Southeast Asia in the 2000s, this marks the first time resistance has been identified in African children with severe malaria.

Malaria and Treatment Challenges

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which is transmitted through mosquito bites. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended treatment involves a combination of artemisinin-based pills, paired with another drug that stays longer in the body to kill any remaining parasites. This treatment, known as artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), is the gold standard for malaria treatment.

Study Findings

The study, conducted in Uganda, focused on 100 children hospitalized with severe malaria. It found that 11 of these children had developed partial resistance to artemisinin, meaning the parasites were adapting to evade the drug. All the children with resistant malaria had genetic mutations associated with drug resistance.

Chandy John, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Indiana University and co-author of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings. He told Nature, “If this is verified by other studies, it could change guidelines for treatment of severe malaria in African children, and they are the biggest target group by far.”

Additionally, another group of ten children in the study experienced a recurrence of malaria after their treatment ended. John speculated that this might indicate the partner drug, lumefantrine, was not as effective as it should be. He suggested that the recurrence could be due to resistance to lumefantrine, which is used alongside artemisinin in ACT.

The Impact of Resistance

As artemisinin resistance spreads, it could complicate malaria treatment, particularly in Africa, which accounted for 95% of the 608,000 malaria-related deaths in 2022. Philip Rosenthal, a malaria expert at the University of California, San Francisco, called the emergence of artemisinin resistance in Africa a “major threat to malaria control.” He emphasized, “We are now only starting to understand what’s going on.”

Even if the drug remains somewhat effective, the slower action of artemisinin could result in more severe outcomes, potentially increasing mortality rates. Rosenthal warned, “Even if the drug still works, that slower action could make a difference and lead to higher levels of mortality.”

The findings underline the urgent need for further research and revised treatment strategies to combat this growing challenge in malaria control.

WHO Approves First Mpox Vaccine, Boosting Disease Control In Africa

September 13, 2024, 9:17 pm

In a significant step to combat mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine, Jynneos, for use in Africa. This approval, called prequalification, enables United Nations agencies to purchase and distribute the vaccine to areas most affected by the virus.

The WHO is also reviewing another potential vaccine, LC16, developed by Japan’s KM Biologics, as part of its ongoing efforts.

What is Mpox?

Mpox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, but its symptoms are milder. Early signs include fever, chills, and body aches, but in severe cases, lesions can appear on the face, chest, hands, and genitals. While it typically causes less serious illness than smallpox, it still poses a risk to certain populations, especially children.

How Will the Mpox Vaccine Be Administered?

The vaccine will be administered in two doses to adults aged 18 and older. In cases of outbreaks, it can also be given to infants, children, and adolescents under WHO authorization, despite not being officially licensed for those under 18. This decision will be made when the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.

WHO Calls for Urgent Action

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of this approval. “This first pre-qualification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in future,” he said.

In addition to vaccine approvals, WHO is calling for increased efforts to procure, donate, and distribute vaccines to countries in need. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has allocated up to $500 million to help fund mpox vaccinations in low-income countries.

Mpox Impact on Africa

The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that children are most severely affected by mpox. Around 70% of cases in Congo involve children under the age of 15, and they account for 85% of the deaths. In the past week alone, Africa CDC reported 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases.

In response, Africa CDC and WHO have launched a continental plan to combat the disease, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children.

New Study Confirms: Mobile Phones Don’t Cause Cancer, Myths Debunked

September 6, 2024, 9:58 pm

For years, concerns have circulated about mobile phones causing cancer. However, a new and comprehensive study debunks this myth, proving that mobile phone use is not linked to cancer. The study, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Environment International, provides overwhelming evidence to reassure users that mobile phones and wireless technologies are safe.

What the Study Revealed

The review, led by Mark Elwood from the University of Auckland, examined over 5,000 studies, focusing on 63 of the most relevant studies from 22 countries. The research assessed various types of cancers, including brain, pituitary gland, and salivary gland cancers, as well as leukemia.

The conclusion? No increased risk of brain cancer was found, even for individuals with over 10 years of mobile phone use. Elwood noted, “There was no evidence to support any risk from mobile phone use or from broadcasting transmitters and base stations.”

How Mobile Phones Work

Mobile phones communicate using radiofrequency (RF) waves, a type of non-ionizing radiation. Unlike ionizing radiation, such as X-rays or ultraviolet rays, non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to damage DNA or body cells. Therefore, mobile phones do not emit dangerous radiation.

Wireless technologies like 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth also rely on radio waves, and none have enough energy to harm the human body. These myths about phones causing cancer have been debunked repeatedly by scientific evidence.

Why Some People Still Worry

Despite the evidence, health concerns about new technologies are common. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theories circulated, falsely linking 5G towers to the spread of the virus. These worries are fueled by misinformation, even though scientific studies consistently show that mobile phones are safe.

As Keith Petrie, from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, explained, “The evidence is clear: radio waves from mobile phones do not have enough energy to damage the human body.”

Conclusion: Mobile Phones Are Safe

While some health agencies are still cautious about officially stating that mobile phones are risk-free, the data is overwhelmingly clear. Mobile phone use is not linked to cancer, and the radio waves they emit are too weak to cause harm.

The myth that mobile phones cause cancer has been thoroughly debunked, and users can confidently continue using wireless technologies without fear.

Sweden Reports First Deadly Mpox Strain Case Outside Africa

August 15, 2024, 10:11 pm

Sweden has confirmed its first case of the deadly clade I mpox strain, making it the first country outside Africa to report this more contagious variant of the virus. The announcement was made on Thursday, a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency.

According to Sweden’s Public Health Agency, the infected individual sought medical care in Stockholm and was diagnosed with mpox caused by the clade I variant. This marks a significant development, as clade I has so far been reported only in African countries.

WHO Declares Global Public Health Emergency

On Wednesday, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. The decision followed an outbreak of the clade I variant in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has rapidly spread to neighboring countries and beyond.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed concern about the virus’s spread, particularly the emergence of the new clade I variant. “The rapid spread of this new clade in eastern DRC and its appearance in other countries is alarming,” Dr. Tedros said during a news conference. “It’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

Global Concern and Call for Action

The WHO’s declaration of a global public health emergency underscores the need for heightened vigilance and international collaboration. The UN health agency made this decision based on the advice of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, composed of independent experts.

With Sweden now reporting a case of the clade I variant, the spread of mpox beyond the African continent raises new concerns about global health security. The situation calls for urgent measures to contain the virus and prevent further spread, especially in regions where healthcare infrastructure may be less equipped to handle such outbreaks.

MERS Coronavirus: WHO Reported Three Cases In Saudi Arabia

May 11, 2024, 11:03 am

The Saudi Ministry of Health has reported three cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus to the World Health Organization (WHO), including one death, occurring between April 10 and 17. These cases, all males aged between 56 and 60 years from Riyadh, had underlying health conditions.

“The three cases are epidemiologically linked to exposures in a healthcare facility in Riyadh, although investigations are ongoing to verify this and understand the route of transmission. Since the beginning of the year, a total of four cases and two deaths have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the WHO bulletin stated.

The notification of these cases does not alter WHO’s overall risk assessment, which remains moderate at both global and regional levels.

MERS is caused by the MERS coronavirus (CoV), a highly contagious viral respiratory infection. WHO notes that approximately 36% of MERS patients have died, although this figure may not accurately reflect the true mortality rate due to potential underreporting of mild cases and the calculation being based only on laboratory-confirmed cases.

Humans typically contract MERS-CoV through direct or indirect contact with dromedary camels, the natural host of the virus. While MERS-CoV has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans, transmission outside of healthcare settings has been limited.

There is currently no specific vaccine or treatment available for MERS-CoV, though several are in development. Treatment primarily focuses on supportive care based on the patient’s clinical condition and symptoms.

Since 2012, a total of 2,204 MERS-CoV cases and 860 deaths have been reported in Saudi Arabia. Globally, there have been 2,613 cases and 941 deaths reported across 27 countries in all six WHO regions.

In May 2015, a significant outbreak of MERS-CoV occurred outside the Middle East, particularly in South Korea, described as a healthcare-associated infection. During this outbreak, 186 cases were confirmed, with 185 in South Korea and 1 in China, resulting in 38 deaths.

WHO Warns of Antibiotic Overuse During Covid-19: All You Need To Know

April 27, 2024, 2:24 pm

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the misuse of antibiotics during the Covid-19 pandemic, exacerbating the issue of antimicrobial resistance. Despite only eight percent of Covid-19 patients requiring antibiotics for bacterial co-infections, three-fourths were prescribed antibiotics, mainly as a precautionary measure.

The highest usage of antibiotics was observed in severe or critical Covid-19 cases, with a global average of 81 percent, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions at 83 percent. The report, based on clinical data from 65 countries over three years, highlighted that “watch” antibiotics, with higher resistance potential, were most frequently prescribed worldwide.

Dr. Sangeeta Sharma, president of the Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs, emphasized the consequences of antibiotic resistance, stating, “Increase in antibiotic resistance means stronger medicines are needed to treat the same infections subsequently. It also means that with increased resistance, more people die of infections, there are more complications, and the hospital stays are longer.”

In India, the use of antibiotics, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, is notably high. A survey across 20 tertiary care hospitals in India found that 71.9 percent of patients were prescribed antibiotics, with 55 percent given as a preventive measure rather than for treatment. Only six percent of antibiotics were prescribed to treat a diagnosed infection, while the remainder were empirically prescribed.

Dr. Sharma emphasized that antibiotics should not be given to individuals with viral infections, as they do not prevent bacterial infections and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics should only be prescribed when necessary, and rapid diagnostic kits should be used whenever possible to identify infections. Antibiotics are also not recommended as prophylaxis before all surgeries, only before procedures involving a high risk of infection.

Nestlé adds sugar to infant milk in poorer countries: Report finds

April 17, 2024, 5:28 pm

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for Europe are strict when it comes to added sugars or sweeteners in food for children under three years old, aiming to prevent obesity and chronic diseases. However, these guidelines do not have specific directives for other regions. Despite this, researchers argue that the European standards have global significance.

A recent report by Swiss investigative organization Public Eye, as reported by The Guardian, has shed light on Nestlé’s practices regarding added sugars in its baby-food products. Samples from Nestlé’s baby-food products sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were tested and found to contain added sugars such as sucrose or honey. This contrasts with Nestlé’s products in European markets, including the UK, which do not have added sugars in formulas for young children. While some cereals aimed at older toddlers may contain added sugars in European markets, products for babies between six months and one year remain sugar-free.

Laurent Gaberell, Public Eye’s agriculture and nutrition expert, stressed the need to end these double standards globally, urging Nestlé to stop adding sugar to all products for children under three years old worldwide.

Obesity is a growing concern globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO reports a significant increase in overweight children under five in Africa since 2000, highlighting the urgency of addressing nutrition standards for young children.

In the UK and the United States, guidelines discourage offering foods with added sugars to young children due to concerns about weight gain and dental health.

In response to these findings, a Nestlé spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to the nutritional quality of its products for early childhood. They mentioned compliance with local regulations and international standards, including labeling requirements and carbohydrate content thresholds that encompass sugars. The spokesperson also noted Nestlé’s efforts to reduce added sugars in its infant cereals and phase out sugars from “growing-up milks” aimed at toddlers globally.

Experts alerts for possible outbreak of H5N1 bird flu epidemic

April 5, 2024, 11:14 am

Experts are concerned that the bird flu pandemic may spread quickly, resulting in an exceptionally high death rate and possibly being “100 times worse than the Covid pandemic,” according to a UK tabloid, the Daily Mail.

The report highlighted concerns voiced by experts during a recent briefing where researchers discussed the H5N1 strain of bird flu. Scientists cautioned that the virus is nearing a critical threshold and has the potential to trigger a global pandemic.

Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, a prominent bird flu researcher based in Pittsburgh, issued a warning during the briefing, emphasizing the pandemic potential of the H5N1 flu due to its ability to infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. “We are getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic,” he emphasized.

“We are not really talking about a virus that is yet to make a jump, we are talking about a virus that is globally present, already infecting a range of mammals and is circulating… It is really high time that we are prepared,” Dr. Kuchipudi remarked during the briefing.

Another expert, John Fulton, stressed the severity of the potential H5N1 pandemic, suggesting it could be significantly more deadly than the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fulton, a consultant for a pharmaceutical company, stated, “This appears to be 100 times worse than Covid, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate. Once it’s mutated to infect humans, we can only hope that the [fatality rate] drops.”

According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the fatality rate of the H5N1 virus has exceeded 50 per cent since 2003, with 52 out of every 100 infected patients succumbing to the illness. In contrast, the current fatality rate of Covid is 0.1 per cent, down from 20 per cent at the outset of the pandemic.

WHO data indicates a total of 887 reported cases of bird flu virus, resulting in 462 deaths.

The Daily Mail report coincided with recent outbreaks of avian flu in a poultry facility in Michigan and an egg producer in Texas. Additionally, reports have emerged of dairy cows contracting bird flu and the first documented case of a human contracting the virus from a mammal.

India reported 69 cases of COVID subvariant JN.1 up until Monday

December 26, 2023, 3:58 pm

According to sources from the Health Ministry on Tuesday, there have been 69 reports of JN.1 subvariant COVID cases nationwide as of December 25. 34 cases from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, 9 from Maharashtra, 6 from Kerala, 4 from Tamil Nadu, and 2 from Telangana were reported, according to the sources. There are 4,170 active cases nationwide, according to the data. Union Health Ministry data shows that Karnataka reported 436 cases, Kerala 3096, Maharashtra 168, Gujarat 56, and Tamil Nadu 139 cases.

Meanwhile, amid rising concerns over the emergence of the new variant of the coronavirus, Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi said, “This is the season when you will see viral infection, respiratory infection becoming more. Every year we see them whether it’s influenza, COVID, RSV or other viral infections. And that happens because of the temperature and crowding.”
“As it’s a holiday season, people travel so they will carry the virus with them. There are crowds and many of the crowds stay indoors because of the cold weather, which leads to the spread of infection which is different in different people.

Thus, in order to prevent the infection from spreading to others, I would say that the most important thing we can do is practice COVID-19 appropriate behavior, such as frequently washing your hands after a cold or cough,” he continued. He went on, “Avoid crowded areas, especially if you’re sick with a cold, cough, or fever because you could be infecting others.” JN.1 is now considered to be a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO), different from its parent lineage BA.2.86. The global health organization did, however, stress that, according to available data, the overall risk posed by JN.1 is still low.