US ＂retreat＂, WHO: funding reduction poses a serious thre

The World Health Organization said on the 5th local time that the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization and the cessation of its funding will seriously affect the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis and endanger the lives of millions of people. ​

In a statement, WHO said that tuberculosis is one of the most deadly infectious diseases in the world. Over the past two decades, tuberculosis prevention, detection and treatment have saved more than 79 million lives, and about 3.65 million deaths were averted last year alone. This progress is attributed to international aid. ​

The statement said that the reduction of funds may make these hard won achievements go to waste and have a devastating impact on the tuberculosis prevention and control plan. Among them, the region most affected is Africa, followed by Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. ​

Teresa Kasayeva, head of the WHO global tuberculosis project, said that the interruption of tuberculosis prevention and treatment services could bring serious consequences to millions of people around the world. She suggested that the international community take strategic collective response measures as soon as possible to ensure adequate funds to protect vulnerable groups and maintain the momentum of combating tuberculosis. ​

US President Donald Trump announced at the end of January that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization and suspend any funding, support, and resources from the US government to the organization.