By Agar Mayor Gai-Makoon
The United States exit from the World Health Organization (WHO) is going to cripple many health programs in the third world countries. African and Asian health systems have for decades been top beneficiaries of the programs, initiated and funded by WHO. And perhaps, many lives have been saved. Stronger health systems have been installed in some nations and it keeps on doing more for the health of vulnerable populations of the world each day and year.
Since the public health body was established in 1948, so much progress in health knowledge and research have been achieved, and the overall life expectancy of human being has been raised. Before 1948, the life expectancy in the United Kingdom was 40.1. Now, it is more than 75. In many other countries of Africa, Asia and America, it was even worse.
So, with the WHO, the world has been able to fight and control deadly infectious diseases and pandemics with unity and unwavering support for one another. Imagine a world without the world health organization—it can be one where people suffer and die from diseases without the knowledge and support of the other. The world was helpless and in fact, more divided and weaker to fight any public health disaster.
Today, the world is half-way to liberate itself from the bondage of infectious diseases. Polio is near eradication; guinea worm is near eradication and many vaccines have been introduced for mumps, measles and many other diseases. This is a big achievement for the world and it cannot be taken for granted, or stopped by any move from any WHO member country.
The world has to move forward and achieve more in the health sector together. The concerns by the Trump government are genuine, but ideally, they undermine the United States position as the world power and a very important engine for most progressive policies in the globe. President Donald J. Trump should rethink his move and appreciate how America’s contribution to the world health organization has helped save lives across the globe.
It is not about what America loses in terms of finance. It is about what America’s money saves in the world. In real sense, America is not losing anything. Instead, the US is doing a humanitarian work—a job that any other nation can takeover should they become rich and capable. It is a moral and divine obligation upon any and everyone in the world.
The United States is the main financial backer of the world health organization, making 18% of the total contribution. Pulling out the US from it means a drastic halt of most programs funded by WHO. This is exactly why the world health organization suspended most of its programs two days ago. It is so ridiculous that saving lives has to be stopped because the US is gone.
There are two lessons for South Sudan from this move.
First, prioritize the health of your citizens. More than 70% funding for the South Sudan health sector comes from the donor agencies. US exit from world health organization means a serious decline in this support. We have got to change this health funding outlook and make sure that we put more resources to the health sector. Like the United States, South Sudan is an independent nation with its own resources. It is important to act independent and allocate more budget to the health sector to facilitate our hospitals and workforce so that we only have to engage with the world in areas of research and knowledge sharing. Programs like HIV/AIDS program should be locally supported and funded.
WHO will be more efficient and effective only when every nation has a contribution to make. And by building stronger health system in South Sudan, we will have made a huge contribution to the well-being of people somewhere, because the world body will direct its resources and efforts to the most vulnerable people.
Secondly, South Sudan government should learn that they have a role in the affairs of the world. We have a role to achieve for ourselves and the rest of the world. And it starts with us now. This is the right moment to awaken our finer spirits of progress and achievement for the citizens. It would be so disgracing for the South Sudan government to not do anything to cover the areas created by the US exit.
Let’s take our place in the affairs of the world by showing them that we are not here to only live, but to make living an enjoyable and healthy experience—by creating a formidable health workforce with adequate pay, and providing a world class set of health diagnostics in our healthcare centers. Trump government’s action should be an eye opener for us here, in this part of the world.
The writer has a background in socio-political philosophy. He currently studies medicine at Ain Shams University, Egypt. He can be reached on: +201129107334, or email: thieng.thiengwada@gmail.com.