House Republicans want to reform WHO due to its COVID-19 failure
Congressional Investigation Calls for Reforms to WHO Amid COVID-19 Origins Probe
The congressional investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a push for reforms within the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the strengthening of safety standards and protocols for biological research. Members of the House are now urging changes to be made.
Hearing on WHO Reforms
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday to discuss WHO reforms. Originally planned for late October but postponed, the subcommittee intends to hear from officials representing the State Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and USAID.
Questioning the Return on Investment
Given that the United States is one of the largest financial contributors to the WHO, providing approximately $700 million in 2021 (65% above the annual membership dues), Republicans on the subcommittee are raising concerns about the organization’s effectiveness in handling the COVID-19 crisis. They particularly question the influence exerted by the Chinese Communist Party on the WHO.
“Instead of prioritizing honesty, transparency, and the health of citizens worldwide, the World Health Organization became subject to overwhelming undue influence from the Chinese Communist Party and placed its political interests ahead of its international duties,” wrote Subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) ahead of the postponed Oct. hearing. “Should Americans rely on the WHO when disaster strikes in the future? At this point in time, is it possible for the WHO to be productively reformed?”
Wenstrup aims to ensure that the WHO cannot be manipulated by any one nation, be it the U.S. or China. He expressed his desire for the organization to be more independent and free from political influence.
Josh Michaud, a global health expert at the healthcare policy think tank KFF, explains that Congress has limited involvement in engaging with WHO policies, as that responsibility falls on the White House and executive public health agencies.
Previous Threats to Withdraw Funding
In May 2020, then-President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. funding and membership from the WHO, citing the organization’s failure to adequately prepare the world for COVID-19. At that time, the U.S. had contributed $400 million to the WHO, accounting for 15% of its operating budget. However, President Joe Biden quickly reversed this decision upon taking office.
While a president can unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from the organization, implementing internal reforms within the WHO proves to be more challenging.
Challenges in Influencing WHO Policy
As a recurring member of the WHO’s executive board, the U.S. does hold significant influence compared to smaller countries in shaping WHO policy. However, according to Michaud, this influence is not enough to completely sway the organization.
“Any policy changes are approved at the World Health Assembly, which is the annual meeting of all of the different member states of the WHO, and the US is just one country among 194 [members], so the influence only goes so far,” said Michaud.
Strengthening Biosafety Standards and Research Compliance
During previous hearings on biosafety standards for pathogen research, the Select Subcommittee members suggested the need for stronger enforcement of existing policies. Some also proposed establishing unilateral agreements with countries conducting U.S.-funded research to enhance laboratory safety and limit certain types of experimentation.
Michaud warns that while oversight of large multilateral organizations like the WHO is challenging, creating unilateral agreements between individual countries, such as the U.S. and China, on biosafety or other topics would present its own set of difficulties without the benefits of a global forum on public health.
Exploring Alternative Approaches
The U.S. already has several global public health programs under its control, including USAID and the PEPFAR HIV/AIDS prevention program. However, developing an equivalent program for biosafety and viral research would require significant time and investment, especially within the constraints of Congress’s annual appropriations process.
“In the WHO case, they have a role to play [as a] sort of coordinating mechanism … and serves as a meeting point for countries to discuss health policy issues of international importance, and to make recommendations based upon the knowledge of experts from across the world,” said Michaud. “There’s a legitimacy to the global efforts say of who that bilateral program may not have.”
For more information, read the full article from The Washington Examiner.
What measures could be taken to strengthen safety standards and protocols for biological research within the WHO
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“It’s a highly complex and political process given that WHO is a membership organization of 194 countries,” he said. “One country or even a few countries cannot dictate the agenda or the policies of WHO.”
Michaud also noted that the WHO operates through a consensus-based decision-making process, which means that any major reforms or changes to the organization would require the support and agreement of a majority of its member countries. This can make it challenging for individual countries, like the U.S., to unilaterally impose reforms on the WHO.
Potential Reforms to Strengthen WHO
While the upcoming congressional hearing will shed light on the specific reforms being proposed, there are several potential areas where the WHO could be strengthened to better handle future pandemics.
1. Improved Transparency: One of the main concerns raised by lawmakers is the lack of transparency in the WHO’s relationship with the Chinese government during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhancing transparency measures would ensure that information sharing and collaborations are conducted in a more open and accountable manner.
2. Better Independence: To avoid undue political influence, there is a need for the WHO to be more independent in its decision-making processes. Measures could include stricter guidelines for ensuring impartiality and preventing conflicts of interest among its staff and experts.
3. Strengthened Safety Standards: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of rigorous safety standards and protocols for biological research. The WHO could establish stricter guidelines and oversight mechanisms to ensure that laboratories around the world adhere to high safety standards to prevent accidental releases of dangerous pathogens.
4. Enhanced International Cooperation: Global pandemics require international coordination and cooperation. The WHO could work towards strengthening partnerships and collaborations among member countries to facilitate the sharing of data, resources, and expertise during health emergencies.
The Road Ahead
The congressional investigation into the origins of COVID-19 has brought to the forefront the need for reforms within the WHO. While the U.S. holds significant financial influence over the organization, the process of implementing internal reforms can be complex and requires the consensus of member countries. However, there are potential areas where the WHO can be strengthened to enhance its transparency, independence, safety standards, and international cooperation.
The upcoming congressional hearing will serve as an important platform for discussions on these reforms and the future of the WHO. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and prepare for future health crises, it is crucial to ensure that the WHO remains a reliable and effective global health organization.
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