The United States and Argentina have withdrawn from the World Health Organization (“WHO”). Other countries should follow their example. Here is why!
The Noble Intentions
The WHO was established in 1946 as a specialized agency under Article 57 of the United Nations Charter, following almost a hundred years of international attempts to contain illnesses and epidemics that have spread throughout the world. This noble goal was reflected in the Constitution of the World Health Organization, which aims to promote “happiness, harmonious relations and security of all peoples” by “promoting and protecting the health of all peoples.” No wonder then that almost all of the 197 recognized countries in the world are members of the organization.
The Seeds of Corruption
Yet, from the very start, it was tainted by a certain vagueness in the goal it attempted to attain. Namely, as an organization established to foster health, it defined health in such vague terms that it could mean virtually anything. The preamble to the WHO constitution defined health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Thus, actions to foster health could be aimed at any area of economic, social, educational, cultural, or religious activity. With such a broad definition of health, the foundation was laid early on for subsequent mission creep. “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health” is proclaimed in the same preamble to be “one of the fundamental rights of every human being,” along with a responsibility of governments “for the health of their peoples, which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures.” This proposition led, in turn, to an expectation that “complete well-being” should be provided by governments under the coordination of the WHO.
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Source of cover photo: CAGG Forum
