The world is playing a dangerous game with global health, treating it like a political chessboard rather than the life-and-death issue it truly is (“Trump team seeks WHO exit ‘on day one’”, Report, December 23).
The funding of the World Health Organization is more than just a financial commitment, it’s a reflection of global priorities. As a student of international relations, I see the WHO’s financial instability as a geopolitical power play that leaves billions of people vulnerable. The US decision to withdraw funding was not just a moment of political grandstanding; it revealed a troubling trend where nations use financial influence as leverage, often at the cost of global wellbeing. Now, we must ask: what’s next? And how do we ensure the WHO remains independent and effective?
The pandemic exposed a stark reality: global health security is fragile, and its effectiveness cannot be subject to the changing moods of a single government. If major powers continue to manipulate WHO funding for their own strategic interests, the world will be woefully unprepared for the next health crisis. The battle for influence between the US and China has already turned the WHO into a contested arena, threatening its neutrality and ability to lead decisive action.
It’s time for a wake-up call. The international community must rethink the WHO’s financial structure, prioritising a stable, diversified funding model. No single country should have the power to cripple global health efforts overnight. Instead, nations must commit to long-term multilateral agreements that ensure security and predictability. Additionally, regional organisations and private sector partnerships must step up to support the WHO without compromising its independence.
Transparency and governance reform are equally critical. The WHO must resist political interference by strengthening accountability measures, making decision-making more inclusive, and proving its commitment to impartiality. The world will only trust the WHO if it is seen as a beacon of health expertise, not a battleground for diplomatic power struggles.
Ahmed Uzair Khatri
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology University Karachi, Pakistan
