Trump's WHO withdrawal impacts Gabonese hospitals
via Gabon Review5 min read
The withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization WHO, initiated by former President Donald Trump's decree on January 20, 2025, has led to significant consequences for healthcare in Gabon. The US, historically the largest contributor, accounted for 18% of the WHO's global budget. The cessation of funding for 2025 and the non-payment of contributions for 2024 and 2025 resulted in immediate impacts on the WHO Gabon country office in Libreville. This included the dissolution of field teams, elimination of international staff positions, termination of UN volunteers, and dismissal of national consultants. The STOP Teams, specialized in epidemiological surveillance, had their contracts, funded by the CDC Atlanta, interrupted and were replaced by 90 national focal points, described as an "effective and economical" but less equipped palliative solution. The WHO Gabon office managed a 2024-2025 biennial budget of nearly $9.7 million with a 98% execution rate, but this was achieved with reduced resources and difficult trade-offs, leading to some planned actions and support for health facilities not being carried out. The article suggests that while Washington's decision is a factor, Gabon's insufficient domestic health funding, with only $150,000 committed to the WHO investment cycle, highlights a lack of health sovereignty and dependence on external political will.
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