WHO Director to World Leaders: Don't Politicize the Pandemic!

(Patria) – The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned world leaders not to "politicize" the pandemic at a time when the world needs to cooperate more than ever before.

The message from Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus is actually a reaction to Donald Trump's statement that he is considering withdrawing financial support for the WHO, after calling the organization "China-centric".

At a press conference in Geneva, Dr. Tedros appealed to countries not to politicize the pandemic, as it is akin to "playing with fire".

– Please do not politicize this virus. It is being used for your national differences. If you want to be exploited and if you want many more dead bodies, then do so, said the WHO director when asked to comment on Trump's statement.

He also asked the US and China to cooperate and asked for the politicization of the virus to be "quarantined".

– We should not waste time pointing fingers at each other. We need to unite, said Dr. Tedros.

He also tried to justify the WHO by listing areas in which the organization has taken action to combat the virus, including building local capacities to combat the epidemic, publishing guidelines, engaging local doctors, and informing the public about the virus, Euronews reports.

– We are doing everything in our power. We will continue to do so, every day and every night... we want to learn from our mistakes and move forward. But for now, the focus should be on fighting this virus, emphasized the head of the WHO.

The US finances almost a fifth of the WHO's total budget.