International Development Minister Karina Gould says it is not the World Health Organization’s place to question China, arguing that the organization tasked with global public health is a product of its member states, who in turn should be pushing for transparency.
The comments come as the WHO continues to face questions related to its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with China. U.S. President Donald Trump has led that charge, temporarily withholding funding from the organization.
Earlier today, the head of the WHO promised an independent review of the global response, saying it would start as soon as possible. China signalled its support of that review today, and has promised $2 billion US over two years to fight COVID-19, especially in developing countries.
When asked by Power & Politics host Vassy Kapelos if the WHO should be more skeptical of China, Gould said she wasn’t sure if that was its role.
“I’m not sure that that’s the place for the WHO, because the WHO is a product of its member states, and I think that each member state can push for openness and for transparency,” she said. “One of the things that we’re doing with the World Health Assembly this week is continuing to raise that issue … in terms of what we expect other member states to do in terms of providing information and data.”
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See Also:
(1) Trudeau keeps siding with China and our allies are noticing
(2) Candidate to Lead the W.H.O. Accused of Covering Up Epidemics (old news)
(3) Canada-U.S. border to remain closed to non-essential travel for another month
