Global health systems at risk, WHO warns as funding falls

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the Executive Board that cuts to international aid and persistent funding gaps have weakened health systems, and WHO has mobilised about 85% of its core budget for 2026-27 after increases in assessed contributions.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the agency's Executive Board that cuts to international aid and ongoing funding shortfalls have weakened global health systems. He said workforce reductions and sudden bilateral aid cuts during 2025 disrupted services in many countries and revealed deeper vulnerabilities, especially in low- and middle-income settings. WHO has reduced reliance on voluntary earmarked funding after Member States agreed to increase assessed contributions and has mobilised roughly 85% of the resources for its 2026–27 core budget, though a remaining shortfall persists. Key points: - WHO reports that 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services and 2.1 billion face financial hardship from health costs. - The agency projects a global shortfall of about 11 million health workers by 2030, with more than half of that gap among nurses. - Tedros said WHO mobilised around 85% of its core budget for 2026–27 following an increase in assessed contributions, while warning the remaining funding gap will be hard to fill in the current environment. Summary: The funding shortfall is reported to reduce capacity for pandemic preparedness, response to antimicrobial resistance, and support for fragile services in many countries. Undetermined at this time.