FACT CHECK: No, India Has Not Announced Plans to Exit the World Health Organization

Fact Check: No, India is NOT withdrawing from WHO. Viral reports are misleading.

A viral screenshot of an article claiming that India is considering exiting the World Health Organization (WHO) has been widely shared on social media. The screenshot, attributed to The Economic Times, includes a headline suggesting that the Indian government is questioning WHO’s independence and considering withdrawal. However, FactCheck India has verified that this claim is false.

What is the claim?

Social media users are sharing an article screenshot with the headline, “WHO has lost its independence, Indian govt should exit global health body”, implying that the Indian government is actively considering leaving the WHO.

An X user posted the image with the caption, “Just when you think your day couldn’t get better… India suggests EXITING the W.H.O.” The post has gained significant traction, with over 420,000 views, 38,000 likes, and 9,400 shares.

After giving a lecture in India’s most prestigious medical institution in 2023, the Times of India reported on my calls for the world’s largest democracy to exit the WHO.

I’m pleased to see @realDonaldTrump has taken the lead and also now Italy. Let’s hope others follow 👊… pic.twitter.com/E5x7AZ6SVc
— Dr Aseem Malhotra (@DrAseemMalhotra) January 28, 2025

Fact Check

FactCheck India investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The viral article is from December 2023 and reflects the personal opinions of British-Indian cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra, not an official statement from the Indian government.

Origin of the Article
- The Economic Times published the article on December 2, 2023, based on statements made by Dr. Aseem Malhotra.
- Malhotra, in a lecture at AIIMS Delhi, criticized WHO’s funding model and suggested that India should consider withdrawing from WHO due to corporate influence.
- His claims were his personal opinion, not an official stance of the Indian government.
No Official Statement from India or WHO
- FactCheck India reviewed the official websites and social media handles of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and WHO India but found no recent announcements about India considering an exit.
- Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda clarified on January 28, 2025, that the U.S. withdrawal from WHO would not impact India’s ongoing collaborations with the organization.
Misinterpretation of U.S. Withdrawal
- The United States withdrew from WHO on January 20, 2025. Following this, misinformation about other countries exiting the organization started circulating online.
- The viral claim misleadingly connects the U.S. decision with India’s stance, despite there being no such announcement from the Indian government.

Verdict

The claim that India is considering withdrawing from WHO is false. The viral article is from 2023 and reflects the personal opinions of Dr. Aseem Malhotra, not an official government stance. No recent reports from Indian officials or WHO support this claim.

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