Argentina's WHO Withdrawal: A Nod to Trump or a Global Health Gamble?

Argentina's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised eyebrows and sparked debate, with some seeing it as a nod to former U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, while others view it as a risky gamble in global health governance. As the country's new libertarian president, Javier Milei, takes the reins, investors in the healthcare sector must navigate the uncertainty surrounding this move and its potential implications for the global response to public health crises.



Argentina's withdrawal from the WHO comes on the heels of Trump's executive order in 2020, which began the process of pulling the United States out of the global health group. Trump had criticized the WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed that the U.S. was being "ripped off" by the organization. However, Argentina's decision to follow suit has raised concerns about the country's commitment to global health cooperation and its potential impact on the global response to public health crises.



One of the primary concerns surrounding Argentina's withdrawal from the WHO is the potential loss of global health collaboration. The WHO provides a neutral forum for countries to collaborate and share information on health threats, and Argentina's withdrawal could hinder this cooperation, making it more difficult to address global pandemics effectively. As Stefano M. Bertozzi, a former dean and professor at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, noted, "One of the things that WHO does is provide a neutral forum where we can have discussions about health issues with every country in the world, whether or not we currently have diplomatic relations with them." (Source: UCBPH interview with Stefano M. Bertozzi)

Moreover, Argentina's withdrawal could weaken global coordination and response to health crises. The WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating global responses to health crises, and Argentina's withdrawal could undermine this coordination, potentially leading to slower and less effective responses to future pandemics. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO provided real-time guidance, training, and support to countries like Argentina to help them manage the crisis. (Source: PAHO/WHO Representative Dr Maureen Birmingham's comments on Argentina's response to COVID-19)

Another concern is the potential isolation of Argentina's health system. By leaving the WHO, Argentina could isolate its health system from the global community, making it more vulnerable to health threats. As Bertozzi pointed out, "Anything we do that diminishes our ability to not only collaborate, but collaborate efficiently with countries all over the world... to stop global health threats, is really important." (Source: UCBPH interview with Stefano M. Bertozzi)

Argentina's withdrawal could also have economic implications, as the country contributes around eight million dollars to the WHO's budget for the 2024-2025 period. Although Argentina's contribution is relatively small, every dollar counts in the fight against global health threats. (Source: WHO budget information and Argentina's expected contribution)

In conclusion, Argentina's decision to leave the WHO could have significant negative impacts on the global response to public health crises, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By reducing global coordination, hindering collaboration, and potentially isolating Argentina's health system, this move could make it more difficult to address future health threats effectively. Investors in the healthcare sector should monitor these developments closely and consider the potential implications for their investments in the Argentine healthcare sector.