Indonesia's Health Minister Urges US to Rejoin WHO

Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's Health Minister and a candidate for World Health Organization director-general, has urged the United States to rejoin the agency. The U.S. withdrew in January 2026 after President Donald Trump accused the organization of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sadikin argued that it is "scientifically impossible" for any nation to handle a pandemic alone. He suggested the WHO should reform its operations to focus on its core mandate of establishing science-based norms and standards.

Nominated by President Prabowo Subianto, Sadikin is one of six candidates competing to replace Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. While other nominees from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Botswana, and Belgium possess medical backgrounds, Sadikin is emphasizing his experience in banking and fundraising. He proposed using development banks to assist member states in executing national health plans.

The WHO is expected to announce all nominations later this month, with the final vote scheduled for May 2027.