First the US, then Italy, Now Argentina Withdrawing from the World Health Organization, By Brian Simpson

First Trump pulled out of the World Health Organization. Then Italy, also a conservative government. Now Argentina under President Javier Milei has ordered his Foreign Minister to withdraw from the World Health Organization over "deep differences" in managing the Covid plandemic. That is putting it mildly though as Milei said that the WHO's Covid-19 responses was "the largest social control experiment in history." The lockdowns, he wrote on X, meant "committing, in complicity with all the countries that followed their directives, one of the most bizarre crimes against humanity in history." The Buenos Aires Herald has the story:

"The Milei administration's announcement was made in lockstep with the United States' withdrawal from the global public health agency, underscoring Argentina's alignment with President Donald Trump.

Adorni said that the WHO's pandemic management, along with decisions made by former President Alberto Fernández, "led [Argentina] to the longest lockdown in human history" and for the country to be subject to "certain countries' political influence."

"Argentines won't allow for an international organization to intervene in our sovereignty, much less in our health," Adorni said.

The government has claimed that exiting the WHO will not affect healthcare in Argentina. However, critics were quick to argue that it would affect important components of the country's public health system, including vaccine purchases and outbreak monitoring.

The World Health Organization is a United Nations agency that coordinates global public health. Founded in 1948, its work includes directing health emergency responses and promoting universal access to healthcare. It has 194 member countries.

Adorni said that Argentina does not receive funding from the WHO for healthcare management, and that the move would therefore not imply cuts. "It will not affect the quality of healthcare services," he said.

"On the contrary, it provides the country with more flexibility to implement policies that are adapted to the context of interests that Argentina requires, and more availability of resources," Adorni continued. "It reinforces our path as a country with healthcare sovereignty."

Argentine Health Minister Mario Lugones said: "Argentina does not receive financing from the WHO, and while some technical cooperation projects may receive financing, this is realized through the PAHO [Pan-American Health Organization]. It is important to emphasize that leaving the WHO does not mean leaving the PAHO, which predates it and depends on the Organization of American States."

The PAHO is the Organization of American States' health arm, but also the WHO's regional office for the Americas. The implications and feasibility of Argentina leaving one, but not the other, are not immediately clear.

In addition to the WHO withdrawal, Argentina is also "analyzing leaving the Paris Agreement" on climate change, Adorni added."

https://buenosairesherald.com/world/international-relations/argentina-to-withdraw-from-world-health-organization