WHO chief says reasons US gave for withdrawing 'untrue'Listen to this article'Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue,' said TedrosGENEVA - The head of the UN's health agency on Saturday pushed back against Washington's stated reasons for withdrawing from the World Health Organization, dismissing US criticism of the WHO as "untrue". And in a post on X, he added: "Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue." They accused the agency, of numerous "failures during the Covid-19 pandemic" and of acting "repeatedly against the interests of the United States". - 'Trashed and tarnished' -The two US officials said the WHO had "trashed and tarnished" the United States, and had compromised its independence. "As we do with every Member State, WHO has always sought to engage with the United States in good faith."

Source: Bangkok Post January 25, 2026 14:29 UTC