By Vivian Anyango
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a dire warning about the future of global health, citing a dramatic decline in donor contributions. He described the situation as the “greatest disruption to global health financing in memory.”
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Tedros said the WHO is facing the most significant financial crisis in its history, one that threatens the agency's ability to respond to health emergencies and support healthcare systems worldwide.
“We are living through the greatest disruption to global health financing in memory,” he stated. “The health of the world is at great risk.”
The crisis deepened earlier this year when the United States, previously the organization’s largest single contributor, officially withdrew its funding. The U.S. government cited dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies as the reason for its departure.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that the withdrawal of U.S. support has left a significant funding gap and has placed numerous global health programs in jeopardy.
In response, the WHO has called on the U.S. to reconsider its funding decision and urged all member states to step up. The agency is also appealing for alternative funding solutions, including resource mobilization from both public and private sectors.
“We must find new ways to secure the future of global health,” said Dr. Tedros, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and predictable financing.
The WHO's appeal comes as global health systems continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging disease threats, and humanitarian health emergencies in conflict zones.
The organization’s leadership has warned that without immediate financial support, its ability to coordinate international health responses, provide vaccines, and manage disease outbreaks could be severely compromised.
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