Global health funding faces worst crisis ‘in memory’, WHO chief says

The World Health Organization (WHO) director-general has warned global health systems are at serious risk as funding cuts deepen amid the withdrawal of major donors and structural funding reliance on a few countries. With the U.S., a key donor, pulling out in January due to past mismanagement, the WHO is proposing significant budget cuts, including a 21% reduction for its 2026-2027 cycle, alongside staff layoffs. Tedros emphasized that these cuts will harm vulnerable nations' healthcare systems and call for diversifying funding sources to sustain operations.