US halting of WHO funding bad for Africa —NCDC DG

The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said on Thursday the United States’ halting of funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO) would have a huge effect on Africa and other developing nations.

Ihekweazu stated this at the WHO COVID-19 Africa media briefing in Geneva, Switzerland.

President Donald Trump had on April 14 announced the halting of US funding to WHO in what was his direct response to the United Nations agency’s alleged slow reaction to coronavirus and its “China-centric response” to the outbreak.

Ihekweazu said the operations of WHO was critical to the survival of the continent and beyond and called for adequate support for the organisation.

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The NCDC chief said: “If funding to WHO is affected in a way, it means that there will be a huge price for humanity to pay and all of us on this side of the world.

“I really hope that everyone around the world will come together to support the WHO not just by speaking, but by funding the organisation.”

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