Argentina has announced its withdrawal from the WHO under President Javier Milei, citing significant differences in health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision reflects Milei’s efforts to assert national sovereignty and improve flexibility in health policy formulation, departing from the previous administration’s lengthy lockdowns and restrictions.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei announced the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to significant differences regarding the organization’s management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Manuel Adorni stated that Milei has instructed Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein to initiate the exit process. He emphasized a refusal to allow international organizations to interfere with Argentina’s sovereignty, especially in health-related policies.
Adorni highlighted concerns over the previous administration’s, led by Alberto Fernández, pandemic response, which resulted in one of the longest lockdowns recorded and perceived loss of autonomy in health decisions. Milei’s administration argues that withdrawing from the WHO will provide Argentina with greater flexibility to adapt health policies to the nation’s needs and improve resource management.
The decision to leave the WHO alignes with Milei’s criticism of the former government’s pandemic handling, particularly in light of economic and social impacts stemming from extended lockdowns. Following the withdrawal announcement, parallels were drawn with Donald Trump’s prior move to exit the WHO, showcasing a shift towards nationalist health policies both domestically and globally.
Global health organizations like the WHO play a critical role in coordinating health responses across nations, especially during crises like pandemics. Javier Milei’s withdrawal from the WHO represents a significant shift in Argentina’s health governance strategy, influenced by dissatisfaction with international responses to COVID-19. The prior government’s extensive lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic sparked this reaction, framed within a broader context of national sovereignty and autonomy in health policy formulation.
Argentina’s decision to withdraw from the WHO under Javier Milei underscores a broader movement toward national sovereignty in health policy, sparked by dissatisfaction with international pandemic management. By initiating the exit process, the Milei government seeks greater autonomy in shaping health strategies that reflect the country’s specific needs, distancing itself from perceived external influences. This action may signify a trend among other nations considering similar steps.
Original Source: edatv.news
