🗞️ Why in News Argentina became the second country to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2026, following the United States. President Javier Milei cited “health sovereignty” and opposition to what he called WHO’s “ideological overreach.”
The Editorial Argument
The Indian Express editorial warns that the growing “health sovereignty” movement — now claiming two major nations — threatens the multilateral architecture built after World War II to prevent pandemics. The editorial argues that WHO, despite its flaws, remains the only institution capable of coordinating global disease surveillance, vaccine equity, and emergency response.
WHO — Structure and Governance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 7, 1948 (World Health Day) |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Member states | 194 (before withdrawals) |
| Director-General | Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017, re-elected 2022) |
| Governing body | World Health Assembly (WHA) — meets annually in May |
| Budget (2024-25 biennium) | ~$6.83 billion |
| Withdrawal notice | 1 year under WHO Constitution |
The Withdrawal Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2025 | US President Trump signs executive order to withdraw from WHO |
| January 2026 | US withdrawal takes effect (after 1-year notice) |
| March 2026 | Argentina’s President Milei announces withdrawal |
| March 2027 (expected) | Argentina’s withdrawal takes effect |
Why Nations Are Leaving
Both the US and Argentina cite similar grievances:
- Pandemic response failures: WHO’s delayed declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic (March 11, 2020) and perceived deference to China in the early weeks
- “Ideological overreach”: Objections to WHO’s positions on gender identity, reproductive health, and climate-health nexus
- Funding imbalance: The US contributed ~22% of WHO’s assessed contributions — the largest single donor
- Sovereignty concerns: Opposition to the proposed Pandemic Treaty (under negotiation since 2021), which would create binding international health regulations
Impact on Global Health
Financial
- US withdrawal removes ~$1.5 billion in annual funding (assessed + voluntary contributions)
- Argentina’s contribution is smaller (~$15 million/year) but the political signal is damaging
- WHO is already chronically underfunded — only 16% of its budget comes from mandatory assessed contributions; the rest is voluntary and earmarked
Operational
- Disease surveillance: WHO coordinates the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). Fewer members mean weaker surveillance coverage
- Vaccine equity: COVAX (co-led by WHO) distributed 2 billion+ COVID vaccines to low-income countries. Without major donors, future vaccine equity programmes are at risk
- Pandemic Treaty: Negotiations (ongoing since December 2021) may collapse if more nations exit
India’s Position
India has consistently supported WHO while pushing for reforms:
- India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer (Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech, Biological E) — WHO’s prequalification programme is critical for market access
- India supported the Pandemic Treaty negotiations but seeks protections for domestic pharma/vaccine IP
- India contributed to COVAX and supplied 250+ million vaccine doses to 100+ countries during COVID-19
- India’s assessed WHO contribution: ~0.9% of budget (~$30 million/year)
The Multilateral Health Architecture at Risk
The WHO withdrawal trend coincides with broader multilateral retreat:
| Institution | Challenge |
|---|---|
| WHO | US and Argentina withdrawals |
| WTO | Appellate Body dysfunctional since 2019 |
| Paris Agreement | US withdrew (2017-2021, then rejoined, now uncertain) |
| UN Human Rights Council | US withdrew 2018, rejoined 2021, now uncertain |
| UNESCO | US withdrew 2017, rejoined 2023 |
The editorial concludes that India should lead a coalition of “middle powers” (Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Nigeria) to reform WHO from within rather than abandon it.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: WHO founding date, headquarters, DG, World Health Day (April 7), assessed contributions, Pandemic Treaty
Mains GS-2: Multilateral institutions — relevance and reform; global health governance; India’s role in vaccine diplomacy
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
World Health Organization:
- Founded: April 7, 1948; Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Member states: 194 (pre-withdrawal); DG: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017)
- Governing body: World Health Assembly (WHA); meets annually in May
- Budget (2024-25): ~$6.83 billion; assessed contributions: only 16%
- World Health Day: April 7 (anniversary of WHO Constitution coming into force)
Withdrawals:
- US: Executive order January 20, 2025; effective January 2026
- Argentina: Announced March 2026; effective March 2027 (1-year notice)
- US was largest single contributor: ~22% of assessed contributions (~$1.5 billion total)
India and WHO:
- India: World’s largest vaccine manufacturer (SII, Bharat Biotech, Biological E)
- India supplied 250+ million COVID vaccine doses to 100+ countries
- India’s assessed WHO contribution: ~0.9% (~$30 million/year)
- India supports Pandemic Treaty but seeks pharma IP protections
Other Relevant Facts:
- COVAX: Co-led by WHO, Gavi, CEPI; distributed 2 billion+ COVID vaccines to LICs
- GOARN: Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (WHO’s surveillance arm)
- Pandemic Treaty: Under negotiation since December 2021 at WHA special session
- IHR (2005): International Health Regulations — binding on all WHO members
Sources: Indian Express, WHO, The Hindu