How to Fill the America-Shaped Hole in Global Health Left by Trump : Peter A. Singer / NY Times

Article shared by Kul Gautam

Dear Peter,

Much appreciated your reflections on the future of global health minus dominant US leadership. Couldn't agree more with you that: "The golden age of global health as led by the United States is over. The rest of the world must now focus on building a healthier world that is less dependent on U.S. aid — and less susceptible to U.S. influence and disruption".

Your examples of some good initiatives for greater self-reliance in Africa are right on the mark. So is the good example of South Korea producing cholera vaccine, and one might add, India's leadership in low-cost generic drug & vaccine manufacturing.

However, some of your commentary on how the Trump administration might be persuaded to rethink its participation in WHO, if WHO enacted some reforms sounds pretty naïve to me. Trump's vilification of WHO (like that of the UN in general, CDC, NIH, USAID, etc) has nothing to do with a desire to seek real, well-analyzed need for reform, but a gut reaction based on his twisted, ill-informed prejudice. The fact that his top aides on matters related to global health are folks like Bobby Kennedy, Dr. Oz (not to mention Musk) and other wackos shows they are not interested in reforms but on pulverizing what they consider to be a liberal, globalist agenda.

So, it is doubtful that any rational, science-based, humanistic reform will persuade the Trump administration to change its mind. Nevertheless, we all agree that some of the reforms you suggest are needed, based on their own merit. It will be an extra bonus, in the unlikely event that such reforms also generate a positive reaction from the White House or leadership of HHS.

Warmly
Kul

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The author: Peter A. Singer is an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a former chief executive of Grand Challenges Canada, which supports health innovation in low- and middle-income countries. He blogs about global health.

Summary:
Peter A. Singer argues that the global health system must adapt to the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and USAID under President Trump’s second term. While urging the WHO to negotiate with Trump to retain U.S. membership, he emphasizes the deeper need for a more resilient, self-reliant global health architecture. This includes addressing U.S. concerns, encouraging alternative funding, empowering local health systems, and reducing overdependence on Western aid.

Quotes:

• "Since President Trump took office for the second time more than 100 days ago, he has initiated the largest remaking of this system in decades — beginning with the announcement that the United States will withdraw from the World Health Organization and the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development."
• "The W.H.O. should try to make a deal with Mr. Trump — not because the current system is ideal but because the stakes are too high to let the United States walk away."
• "The W.H.O. could agree to a reduction in America’s contributions and make up some of the difference by asking other countries to increase theirs."
• "Of course, it may be impossible to persuade Mr. Trump to change his mind. If that’s the case, then countries must be ready to take greater ownership of, accountability for and investment in their public health needs."
• "The golden age of global health as led by the United States is over. The rest of the world must now focus on building a healthier world that is less dependent on U.S. aid — and less susceptible to U.S. influence and disruption."