Experts in Argentina voice criticism of Milei’s decision to quit WHO

President Javier Milei’s decision to withdraw Argentina from the World Health Organisation has spurred outrage from health experts and leaders across the political spectrum, who warn the move will cost money and cut the nation off from crucial data and key programmes.

Milei’s controversial decision follows in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump, who two weeks ago declared the United States would exit from the agency as well.

“Germs don’t respect borders, ideologies or types of countries. The WHO is the main instrument that we have. Of course, it is not perfect – it has had difficulties with coordination during the pandemic period – but we need to strengthen the structures that we have to help with coordination,” Buenos Aires City Health Minister Fernán Quirós, one of the nation’s most prominent voices on healthcare, told the El Observador radio station.

The respected clinician expressed concern that Milei lacks a plan for an alternative system of healthcare coordination, guidance and implementation, especially in the case of another future pandemic.

Milei cited WHO’s high cost and “mishandling” of the Covid-19 pandemic as key reasons for his controversial decision. Argentina paid an approximate US$8.75 million to the organisation across 2022 and 2023, according to WHO data. 

Ultimately, the self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” blamed the organisation’s quarantine guidance during the global pandemic as creating one of the “biggest economic catastrophes of world history” and qualifying as a “crime against humanity.”

“Prescriptions from the WHO don’t work because they are the result of political influence, not based in science,” said the government in an official statement announcing the decision.

Milei says he will move forward with the action through decree. Yet dropping Argentina’s WHO membership would require a vote from Congress. Much like the president’s recent call to leave the Paris Climate Agreement, officially cutting ties with the WHO will take a year due to membership procedure. 

The WHO was created in 1948 to coordinate emergency health and sanitary responses globally. It is responsible for monitoring and publishing a list of essential medicines, maintaining an international classification of diseases, and offering healthcare response guidance based on scientific reasoning for its 194 member states.   

Experts have warned that the departure of the United States, the WHO’s biggest donor, could transform global healthcare — such as vaccine distribution efforts and primary care for those living in poverty worldwide — due its significant economic influence within the organisation. 

While Argentina’s withdrawal doesn’t have the same economic pull, Tucumán lawmaker Pablo Yedlin warned this week that the measure will cost Argentine lives.

“Argentina receives a lot more from WHO than what it gives,” the lawmaker posted on X. “Bad decisions in regards to health are paid with lives.” 

Local impact

The Fundación Soberanía Sanitaria NGO released a report last month detailing the on-the-ground impact of a departure from the WHO. 

Among the 12 negative consequences described in the report are exclusion from international networks that improve health practices and real-time information on the circulation of infectious diseases and public health emergencies. 

“Support for programmes on communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, vaccines, among others, would disappear, which would be detrimental in the medium term to their quality and sustainability,” the foundation warned in a report.

Fundación Huésped, a non-profit specialising in HIV treatment, said Argentina’s withdrawal could reduce technology transfer and natural disaster response, impacting the health of all Argentines. On social media, it reminded readers of WHO’s purpose: to make fact-based recommendations, not to impose mandatory rules.

“The eventual departure of Argentina from the WHO/PAHO, in addition to health consequences, outbreak monitoring and promotion of technology transfer, would cost money,” Executive Director Leandro Cahn posted on X, also referring to the Pan American Health Organization, the WHO’s regional arm. 

“Vaccines and treatments for HIV could not be purchased through its revolving fund, which greatly reduces costs,” added Cahn.

Meanwhile, former government minister Agustín Rossi accused Milei of blindly following Trump.

Last week, the US President signed an executive order restricting gender transition procedures for people under 19. Earlier this week, Milei’s Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni said the government will look to prohibit hormone treatments and “body adaptation” surgeries for those under 18. 

Trump also ordered US removal from the Paris Climate Agreement last month and Milei again appears to be following in tandem — this week he called the international agreement to fight climate change “cultural Marxism” and said he is analysing withdrawal.

Michael Shifter, a senior fellow from the Inter-American Dialogue, said that the synchronicity is no coincidence. He described Milei’s “lock-step” actions “expected,” due to the two president’s close bond.

But Argentina is more vulnerable to the repercussions of losing the WHO’s medical advice and resources, Shifter warned.

“I think if you’re the world’s most powerful country, you can afford to withdraw from a lot of international organisations,” the Latin American politics specialist told the Times. “But if you’re a country like Argentina and in the case of another pandemic or public health emergency, these organisations perform a valuable function.”

Referring to Milei’s criticisms on Covid-19 lockdowns, Shifter noted the president is misplacing blame onto the WHO and that responsibility, if any, would lie with his successor in office, Alberto Fernández.