Is Trump Making A Mistake?

I was fresh out of university, a brand-new doctor — minted hot off the press. Green as they come, but brimming with optimism and hope for the future. It was late 2019, and I was ready to take on the world.

Then came the news of a new virus. At first, it was just background noise. I mean, we’d seen and heard about various outbreaks in the past, right? No big deal, I thought. But little did we know this particular virus was about to turn our lives upside down and change the way we did things forever.

By the time the calendar flipped to 2020, it was crystal clear: this virus was spreading… like wildfire. Panic set in. Governments worldwide scrambled to impose lockdowns, and I was thrown into the deep end as an intern. It wasn’t exactly the smooth start I’d imagined for my medical career.

Soon enough, I was part of the frontline workforce caring for COVID-19 patients. Every cough, every sneeze around me was like a ticking time bomb. Could it be COVID? The fear was palpable. I was terrified of catching the virus myself. Colleagues were falling sick one by one, and I couldn’t shake the thought: it’s only a matter of time before it gets me too.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that some parts of the world didn’t even have lockdowns. And the shock didn’t stop there. Remember how masks were supposed to protect us? I knew someone who wore two masks everywhere — and still caught the virus within two weeks. It was a wild, confusing time.

Then came the vaccines. Hailed as our ticket out of the pandemic, they were supposed to protect us or, at the very least, reduce the severity of the disease. But then we heard about people who’d had two shots and a booster still falling seriously ill. And reports began trickling in of people developing heart issues or blood clots post-vaccination. It made you wonder: did global health organizations like the WHO make mistakes? Was there political meddling? Who stood to benefit?

Over the past few years, we’ve seen our fair share of questionable decisions in healthcare, alongside some impressive strides. Which brings us to an intriguing question: was Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization (WHO) a “dumb” decision? Or did he have a point?

Will the Second Time Be the Charm?

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Trump sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General announcing his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO. The withdrawal was set to take effect in 2021. But before that could happen, President Biden took office and reversed the decision on his very first day.

Now, Trump’s back with a second attempt. His reasoning? He claims the WHO mishandled the pandemic, especially its origins in Wuhan, China, and failed in responding to other global health crises. Trump also thinks the U.S. pays too much money to the organization. Over the past decade, the U.S. has contributed around $100 million annually, more than any other country. By contrast, China—with four times the population—contributes far less. Trump calls it unfair and disproportionate.

What Are the Risks?

Pulling out of the WHO would undoubtedly have consequences, but predicting exactly what those consequences might be is tricky. Public health experts warn that this move could have ripple effects on healthcare in the U.S. and globally. The WHO has been critical in addressing urgent public health crises, like eradicating smallpox and nearly wiping out polio through vaccination campaigns.

Could the U.S. stepping back weaken the organization’s ability to tackle future pandemics? Would it leave the global health community in disarray? Only time would tell.

A Little History

This wouldn’t be the first time a country withdrew from the WHO. Back in 1949, the Soviet Union and several Eastern European states pulled out during the Cold War, only to rejoin in 1956. Today, Liechtenstein is the only UN member state that isn’t part of the WHO.

What Do You Think?

So, here’s the big question: do you think withdrawing from the WHO is a bold move or a blunder? Would it lead to better accountability and reform? Or would it weaken global health efforts at a time when we need them most?