Source: Global Times

[Reported by the Global Times Correspondent Bai Yunyi] According to Argentine media reports, during the visit of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (hereinafter referred to as Kennedy Jr.) to Argentina, the Argentine government officially announced on the 27th that it would confirm its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is another country after the United States this year to announce its withdrawal from the organization. Meanwhile, the two countries are considering establishing a new international health organization as an "alternative to WHO".

"The timing of Argentina's announcement to withdraw from WHO is noteworthy," wrote the website of Deutsche Welle on the 27th. The move comes just as Kennedy Jr. is visiting Argentina and holding talks with Argentine Health Minister Lugoñes. The report said that Kennedy Jr., who has expressed skepticism about vaccines, sparked widespread controversy when he was nominated as health minister by Trump. Just last week during the World Health Assembly, he also called in a video for multiple governments to exit WHO and establish a new institution.

According to the Buenos Aires Economic News Network, after meeting with Kennedy Jr., the Argentine Ministry of Health announced a series of measures to "reaffirm national health direction", one of which attracted the most attention: "Argentina reaffirms its decision to exit WHO." On February 5th this year, Argentine President Milei first announced that the country would withdraw from WHO, citing "serious disagreements over WHO's approach to health management during the pandemic."

The current Argentine government believes that WHO's authority is too great and has restricted national health sovereignty. Although pharmaceutical regulatory agencies in various countries have independence, such as Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their technical frameworks usually align with international guidelines advocated by WHO.

According to the Ministry of Health, during the meeting with American health officials, both sides agreed to formulate a joint work agenda to strengthen bilateral health cooperation from aspects such as disease prevention and food safety. In addition, according to TN Media reports, the two countries also announced their intention to establish a new international health organization as an "alternative to WHO". However, there is currently no clear explanation regarding the specific operational mechanisms of this new international organization and which countries may join.

"Deutsche Welle" believes that from a financial perspective, Argentina's withdrawal from WHO will have relatively little impact. Argentina's contributions to WHO are relatively small, and in 2024-2025, Argentina's contribution will be only $8 million. By comparison, the United States' total contribution is close to $1 billion, including approximately $260 million in dues and the rest as donations, accounting for about 18% of WHO's budget.

TN reported that the move to withdraw from WHO will further exacerbate Argentina's disconnection from global scientific consensus in the field of public health. Several experts in the health sector stated that although WHO does not enforce policies, it plays a key role in coordinating global public health responses, such as coordinating vaccine distribution and providing technical assistance during pandemics. Moreover, progress in negotiations between the United States and Argentina on pharmaceutical patent systems remains unclear.

The Milei government claims that withdrawing from WHO is aimed at pursuing greater "autonomy and scientific rigor." Critics, however, believe that this policy shift is more due to ideological alliances rather than truly focusing on health system reforms. TN noted that in an era where international cooperation is crucial to addressing global challenges, Argentina's isolated approach in the field of public health raises increasing doubts about its true public health priorities.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509634428352643624/

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