Amid US criticism, WHO adopts resolution to launch independent probe into coronavirus
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World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his closing address at the two-day video conference said he will 'initiate an evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment'
World Health Organization(WHO) members adopted a resolution today calling for an "independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response to the coronavirus epidemic including WHO’s performance.
"I thank Member States for adopting the #COVID19 resolution, which calls for an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the international response – including, but not limited to, WHO’s performance"-@DrTedros #WHA73
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 19, 2020
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his closing address at the two-day video conference said he will "initiate an evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment."
"I will initiate an evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment. We welcome any initiative to strengthen global health security & to strengthen WHO.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 19, 2020
WHO remains fully committed to transparency, accountability & continuous improvement"-@DrTedros #WHA73https://t.co/iypAq8c9zo
"We welcome any initiative to strengthen global health security and to strengthen WHO," Tedros said, adding,"WHO remains fully committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement."
"We will continue bringing together leading experts from around the Earth globe in Europe and Africa to develop technical advice, based on the best science," the WHO chief said.
"Dark & difficult days may lie ahead.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 19, 2020
But guided by science, together we will overcome.
Let hope be the antidote to fear.
Let solidarity be the antidote to division.
Let our shared humanity be the antidote to our shared threat.
Now, more than ever"-@DrTedros#COVID19 #WHA73
"We will continue driving research and development to develop evidence about vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics," he said.
Earlier today US President had attacked the UN health body calling it a "Chinese puppet" and asserted that he was considering slashing or cancelling US support permanently. The US president had earlier frozen funds to the organiazation alleging a "China bias" and for "mismanaging" COVID-19 crisis.
Trump said the United States pays around $450 million annually to the World Health Organization. "They gave us a lot of bad advice," Trump said.
Later in a letter to the WHO the US President said that WHO had "failed to publicly call on China to allow for an independent investigation into the origins of the virus, despite the recent endorsement for doing so by its own emergency committee."
"The only way forward for the WHO is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China," the US President said, adding "my administration has already started discussions with you on how to reform the organization, but action is needed quickly, we do not have time to waste."