WHO warns of chaos in public health due to funding cuts

IN A world increasingly grappling with public health crises, the current turmoil in global health financing could have dire consequences for millions.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says global health financing faces unprecedented disruption amidst donor cuts.

During a media briefing on Thursday, Ghebreyesus said: “We are living through the greatest disruption to global health financing in memory”.

He said that for years, they have said global health financing needs to be changed and emphasised the importance of self-reliance and domestic financing.

“Of course, donor countries can spend their money where they want, and they have the right to spend it where they want,’ Ghebreyesus said.

“We are grateful to those who have, for decades, funded health systems globally.”

“But instead of an orderly decline, or an orderly withdrawal, the abrupt cuts to overseas development aid and a challenging economic and trade environment are sowing chaos in public health,’ Ghebreyesus continued.