Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has described the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) as unfortunate, warning that the decision could weaken global efforts to tackle pressing health challenges.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Sani said the WHO has, for decades, remained a critical global institution in combating health emergencies and strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and remote communities around the world.
“The withdrawal of the US from the WHO is unfortunate. For decades, WHO has been a global institution and instrument for tackling global health challenges in all corners of the globe and in the most remotest communities,” Sani wrote.
He stressed that the global health body is both irreplaceable and indispensable, noting that its role in disease surveillance, emergency response, vaccination campaigns, and health system strengthening cannot be easily replicated by any single nation or organization.
The former lawmaker further called on Europe, China, and wealthy Arab Gulf countries to step in and fill the financial gap created by the United States’ exit, warning that reduced funding could undermine critical health interventions, especially in developing countries.
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Sani’s comments come amid growing international concern over the implications of reduced funding for the WHO, which relies heavily on contributions from major economies to sustain its global operations.
Public health experts have cautioned that funding shortfalls could affect the organization’s ability to respond swiftly to future pandemics, support fragile health systems, and coordinate international health responses.
As debate continues globally over the US decision, Sani’s remarks add to calls for renewed mult