WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has raised alarms about a significant decline in global health financing due to reduced donor contributions, particularly after the U.S. withdrew its support. This has led to proposed budget cuts of 21 percent for the 2026-2027 cycle, amounting to a reduction from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion. Tedros warns that these cuts will severely affect health systems globally, particularly in vulnerable regions. The WHO acknowledges the need to diversify funding sources since it currently relies on a handful of countries for the majority of its budget.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that slashing the budget will directly impact healthcare systems globally, especially in the world's most vulnerable countries.
He mentioned the crisis has deepened after the US pulled out as a major funder, contributing to the most significant disruption to global health financing in memory.
Assistant Director General Raul Thomas noted that about 25 percent of the WHO's salary budget remains unfunded for the next two years, indicating potential layoffs and operational challenges.
Tedros stressed the need for the WHO to diversify its funding sources, as the current heavy reliance on a few countries for 80 percent of its budget is unsustainable.
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