Microsoft boss, Bill Gates is not happy with American president Donald Trump for trying to stop US funding of the World Health Organisation during a world health crisis, describing his position on the issue as a dangerous move.
Bill Gates registered his displeasure in a tweet saying:” Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
Donald Trump had said that the global health body had “failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable” for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
He blamed the group for promoting China’s “disinformation” about the virus in the days following the initial outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
The virus – which has infected almost two million people worldwide – could have been contained at its source if the WHO had been better at investigating the initial reports that came from China, Mr Trump said.
But he added that the US will continue to engage with the organisation to pursue what he described as meaningful reforms.
The US is one of the World Health Organisation’s biggest financial backers. In February, Mr Trump’s administration had called for America’s contribution to be slashed from $122.6m (£99.5m) to $57.9m (£47m).
The WHO has praised China for its transparency on the pandemic, despite the fact there is reason to believe the country’s official tally does not reflect the true number of fatalities.