US Global Public Health Policy 2025-02-11

Opened the debate

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on a matter of urgent importance: the shifting landscape of global health policy, and the direct threat that shift poses to public health security in the UK and worldwide. In recent weeks, the US has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and is significantly scaling back its support for major global health initiatives. These decisions sent shockwaves across the world. For decades, the US has played a crucial role in eradicating smallpox, tackling childhood malnutrition, and responding rapidly to emerging diseases with pandemic potential. Now, this one decision undermines global health security, weakens its own defences, and places millions of lives at risk. The UK must lead efforts to strengthen the World Health Organisation by broadening its funding base and encouraging greater collective responsibility among member states. We must invest in our own global health capabilities, protect key collaborations, and engage with middle-income nations to forge new partnerships. I recently visited the rotary club in Winchester, which has been involved in supporting polio eradication for many years. The US withdrawal forces us to consider how we reaffirm our leadership in global health.

Government Response

The minister's response is not provided in this debate transcript. I thank the hon. Member for Winchester for securing this debate on global health security. This Government are aware of implications from US decisions and welcome their commitment to exempt emergency food aid during reviews. We are committed to working with others through respectful partnerships, maximising our impact at home and overseas. Our work on global health is crucial; since taking up my role six months ago, I have made the case for action around the world. In today’s interconnected world, no country can thrive if its people cannot, and we see the impact of shocks in healthcare ripple worldwide. The Minister emphasises that deadly diseases do not respect borders and it takes a concerted international effort to tackle them. We work with countries globally to develop systems needed to tackle health threats. The UK’s national risk register estimates up to a 25% probability of another pandemic within five years, highlighting the importance of securing a pandemic accord at WHO. The Minister also underlines the threat of antimicrobial resistance and highlights the UK's significant role in this field. We have played a key part in saving over 65 million lives since 2002 through Gavi support and reducing death rates by 61%. The UK’s support for the child wasting innovation programme has helped raise financing, enabling treatment for 850,000 children. The Minister is also proud of British scientists who have developed two malaria vaccines with the potential to save millions of lives. She highlights the immense ambition of labs such as the Jenner Institute and looks forward to the 'glory days' when we finally eradicate malaria globally.