HEALTHCARE IS HUMAN RIGHT
The World Health Organization has sustained series of political clubbing since inception in 1948, but it has always been in the backdrop of the USA Vs. USSR Cold War era that seemingly ended in 1989/1990 with the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequent disintegration of USSR: the disintegration as we know it, is unintended consequence (unintended to the Soviets) of perestroika and glasnost introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev, the then Soviet Secretary General (President). However, browbeating of the World Premier Health Body didn't stop with the official end of the ideological war within the Caucasian family of Super Powers, but took some recess.
Now enter the Dragon, named China. Since China set foot on the techno-economic global podium, WHO has had some ear-twisting from the incumbent powers and interests. The on-going Coronavirus Pandemic brought WHO to the Front Pages/Screens of Daily News once again. Accused of doing China's Bidding by the United States Government and ridiculed of deserving to be renamed China Health Organization by the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister, and threatened with cutting off its $400 million/year (USA Larges) operation lifeblood, it managed to stay her ground by acknowledging NO cleared-eye or knowing wrongdoing. The United States announced it has suspended the $300 million annual voluntary contribution to the organization. On May-15-2020, President Trump announced the administration is considering to/will resume funding for WHO, but will pay only as much as China's assessed contribution of $40million/year. this will thus introduce financial insecurity/austerity measure into the organization.
However, this inoculation makes World Health Organization a Survivor of Political COVID-19: and no doubt has developed Immunity (antibody) against future incontinent anger or petulant finger wagging and admonitions.
United States and the European Union have voiced need to reform the World Health Organization. According to sources from the US State Department, foremost on USA's agenda for WHO reform is for the organization to remove/abolish it's "Integrated People-Centered Health Services".
Lets all hope that whatever reform that may be introduced and adopted in the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic and COVID-19 casualties be premised on "Every Body Wins Doctrine". Health For All Humanity: that the economic damages and deaths from COVID-19 across the world must not have been in vain.
Obi Orakwue is a Biochemist/Microbiologist and a research Associate. Reach him at: [email protected]