Africa Regional Director for the World Health Organisation, Dr Mohammed Yakub Janabi has said Africa’s Health System will remain resilient despite the withdrawal of funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO) by the United States of America.
In January 2026, the WHO’s largest donor, the United States of America formally completed its withdrawal from the Organization. This move led to the termination all funding from the US following an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025.
This decision heavily impacts on several intervention programs intended for the Africa Regional World Health Organisation.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s Hot Issues, Sunday, February 1, 2026 Dr Mohammed Yakub Janabi explained that despite the “shock” presented by the US decision, Africa’s health System will spend smartly, ensure thorough planning and pick priorities to survive the challenge it has been presented with.
“So, despite of these shocks, we are not stopping and I am telling you, we are not going to stop. We don’t have much of a choice. The question is how can we do better with less.
“So, here it is, just a smart spending, very thorough planning, picking priorities and the WHO is doing same. Picking priorities which can help and impact,” he stressed.
He further highlighted recent several interventions by WHO Africa in the Region.
“Last year, we had a strike of Ebola in August in Democratic Republic of Congo. For the first time, that was the 16th one, WHO working together with the government of DR Congo, other UN Agencies like CDC Africa, we controlled the Ebola in 60 days, it is a record, we acted fast and we brought it into control.
“Ethiopia, two days ago, they had an attack of Marburg, we brought it under control. I am talking about countries which the population is millions. Small Island Developing Countries like Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius, they eliminated two major virus diseases; measles and Ebola,” he stated.
Priorities for WHO Africa following US exit
Dr Yakub Janabi noted that following the U.S. exit from WHO, the Region would now pririotise local manufacturing of medicines, therapeutics and vaccines, Universal Health Suffrage – all geared towards being resilient and managing its own health system.
“We want to see local manufacturing of medicines, therapeutics and devices, especially vaccines, Africa imports 99% of its vaccines, in terms of security, it is not good. We want to see Universal Health Suffrage, no one should be left behind. We want to combat anti-microbo resistant. It’s a slow motion pandemic,” he stated.
