The World Health Organization does not want to see an end to its cooperation with the United States, the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said on Monday, following President Donald Trump’s Friday announcement that his country was ending its relationship with the body over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The U.S. government and people’s contribution and generosity towards global health over many decades has been immense, and it has made a great difference in public health all around the world,” Tedros said in his daily briefing.

“It is WHO’s wish for this collaboration to continue.”

In his announcement on Friday, President Trump accused the WHO of misleading the world.

"Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs," Trump said.

Health experts, U.S. lawmakers and world leaders have expressed concern over defunding the organization amid a pandemic.

Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, criticized Trump's announcement Friday, saying they were "senseless" and had "significant, harmful repercussions."

"COVID-19 affects us all and does not respect borders; defeating it requires the entire world working together," Harris said in a statement. "In the strongest terms possible, the American Medical Association urges the President to reverse course and not abandon our country's leadership position in the global fight against COVID-19."

Source(s): World Health Organization