Los angeles: California will become the first US state to join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, as announced by Governor Gavin Newsom. This decision follows the Trump administration’s controversial move to withdraw the United States from the WHO, ending nearly 80 years of membership.

According to Anadolu Agency, Governor Newsom made this announcement just a day after the US formally completed its withdrawal from the WHO. Newsom criticized the federal decision, emphasizing that California is taking proactive steps by joining the WHO’s network to enhance public health preparedness and rapid response coordination.

The governor’s office released a statement highlighting the significance of California’s decision, stating that the withdrawal from the WHO by the Trump administration is a decision that could negatively impact Californians and Americans. With a population of nearly 40 million, California represents about 12% of the US population and holds the status of the world’s fifth-largest economy.

The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network of the WHO is dedicated to monitoring and responding to epidemics, assessing the risks posed by certain diseases, and enhancing international capabilities to manage them. The importance of such international collaborations was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the fact that diseases do not adhere to national borders.