WHO urged protection of CDC’s public health excellence

The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for the protection of the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emphasising its vital role in global public health.

"No institution is perfect, and continued improvements are always needed to make sure the latest science and evidence is applied to emerging challenges in real time, but the work of the US CDC has been invaluable and must be protected," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

His remarks came amid leadership changes at the CDC and rising concerns that decisions by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr could jeopardise public health in the country. Ghebreyesus did not comment on those concerns or echo calls for Kennedy's resignation.

Instead, he highlighted how the CDC's longstanding reputation as a "centre of excellence" had inspired countries worldwide to adopt its best practices.

He noted that the WHO's long-term collaboration with the CDC had allowed both U.S. citizens and global communities to benefit from cutting-edge American science, while also giving the U.S. access to crucial global health data, alerts, experience, and guidance.

Ghebreyesus's comments underscored the need to shield scientific institutions from political interference and ensure they continue to serve public health interests effectively.

The Trump administration has been critical of the WHO for its handling of COVID-19, with Kennedy dismissing the organisation as "moribund."

In January, Trump ordered the United States to leave the WHO.

Source: World Health Organisation