The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep regret over the United States’ formal withdrawal from the global health body, warning that the decision made “both the United States and the world less safe”.

In a statement released on Sunday, the WHO said that the withdrawal could undermine collective efforts to prevent and respond to global health emergencies.

Underscoring the long-standing role of the U.S. as a founding member and key contributor to major public health achievements, from the eradication of smallpox to progress in combating HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other global health threats, the WHO said, it would in subsequent meetings review the decision.

It described allegations of ‘trashing, tarnishing and insulting’ the U.S as well as compromising on the body’s independence as unfounded, insisting that; “As we do with every member state, the WHO has always sought to engage with the United States in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty,”

Singling out its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the U.S cites as one of its reasons for withdrawing from the body, the WHO in its statement maintained that; “While no organisation or government got everything right, the WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis.”

It further debunked accusations of pursuing a “politicised, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests”, stressing that “WHO has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favour.”

The WHO highlighted recent progress on its “Pandemic Agreement”, a landmark framework that aims to improve pandemic preparedness and response, and the ongoing negotiation of a “Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing” system to enhance the timely detection and equitable access to vaccines and diagnostics.

It said despite the U.S. departure, it remained committed to promoting the highest standards of health across the globe, as a “fundamental human right for all people”.

“We hope that in the future, the United States will return to active participation in WHO. Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.”

The United States completed its withdrawal from WHO on January 22 2026, marking the end of nearly eight decades of affiliation.

The decision followed a formal notice given one year earlier by President Donald Trump, who cited perceived mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged political influence within WHO as justification.

Public health experts have raised concerns that the U.S. exit could weaken global disease surveillance and preparedness.

They fear that losing U.S. participation in networks like the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System could delay access to critical data used to shape seasonal vaccine development, potentially leaving populations more vulnerable.

Dr Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, described the withdrawal as “short-sighted and scientifically reckless,” warning that it could hobble efforts to eradicate diseases such as polio and undermine coordination on influenza and other health threats.

In Ghana, while health services are expected to continue uninterrupted, public health experts caution that the U.S withdrawal from the WHO could over time weaken disease surveillance and reduce technical support to the country.

WHO currently supports Ghana with early warning data, dissemination of treatment guidelines and coordination of cross-border responses to emerging infectious diseases and if weakened by the latest decision, it could present challenges for disease control.