US Pull Out From WHO May Affect It, Pharma, Health Sectors in Telangana
Hyderabad: US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) will leave a huge void in the multilateral agency’s funds and could adversely affect the global health efforts, including Telangana’s pharmaceutical and IT sectors. America contributes 18 per cent of the WHO’s budget.
“Disappointing, but this is not a new decision. Trump has made a similar move in 2020. However, India relies on WHO-backed programmes like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) for critical healthcare initiatives. This decision could disrupt those efforts,” said Dr. Justin A. Jayalal, President of the Commonwealth Medical Association.
He further added that India must respond quickly. “Losing access to WHO data complicates disease control. This is a chance for India to increase its health budget, now just two per cent of GDP, and strengthen healthcare systems,” he said.
The withdrawal process, which takes 12 months, may allow time for preparations, but public health experts believe it will strain global health systems in the long run.
Doctors in Hyderabad believe that it will weaken the fight against pandemics and other emergencies. “This is a moment that calls for unity, not division,” said Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, the president of the Infection Control Academy of India.
“Turning away from global institutions like the WHO risks leaving vulnerable populations in the Global South to fend for themselves. Infectious diseases know no borders, and neglecting their control at the source jeopardises even the most developed nations, including the US,” he said.
Hyderabad’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, integral to Telangana’s economy, may face obstacles as well. WHO certifications, such as Goods Manufacturing Practices (GMP), are essential for Hyderabad-based companies to export products to the US. “Without these certifications, Hyderabad’s role as a major pharmaceutical hub could be affected,” Dr. Jayalal said.
Another major concern is the disruption of global health data exchange. “Hyderabad, as an IT hub, has benefited from access to health-related data shared between WHO and institutions like the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fragmentation of this data could complicate public health responses worldwide,” he explained.
Experts also fear indirect consequences, including restrictions on international collaboration, which could affect Indian doctors applying for US visas. WHO released a statement expressing regret over the US’s announcement. The organisation stated, ”For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives…We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership.”