The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a new set of guidelines aimed at addressing the imminent and long-term impacts of drastic cuts to global health funding. This announcement is crucial as many nations currently face significant disruptions in essential health services due to reduced external financial support.
Overview of WHO’s Guidance on Health Funding Reductions
The guidelines, titled “Responding to the health financing emergency: immediate measures and longer-term shifts,” offer a comprehensive array of policy options for countries grappling with sudden financial shocks. These recommendations are designed to enhance countries’ capacity to mobilize and implement sustainable financing for national health systems.
Projected Decline in Health Aid
According to forecasts, external health aid could diminish by 30% to 40% by 2025 compared to 2023 levels. This expected reduction poses immediate risks to health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A WHO survey conducted in March 2025 among 108 LMICs highlights that funding cuts are leading to a staggering 70% reduction in vital services, such as:
- Maternal care
- Vaccination programs
- Health emergency preparedness and response
- Disease surveillance
Alongside these service disruptions, more than 50 nations have reported job losses in health sectors, which also affects training programs for healthcare workers.
Key Insights from WHO Leadership
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented on the situation, stating that unanticipated cuts to aid have adversely affected many nations, jeopardizing hard-won health achievements. However, he expressed optimism that this crisis presents an opportunity for countries to shift from dependency on aid to sustainable self-reliance, funded through domestic resources.
Urgent Need for Policy Changes
The new guidance emphasizes that health should be treated as a priority in government budgets, even in crisis times. The following strategic recommendations were outlined:
- Prioritize health services for the poorest segments of the population.
- Protect essential health budgets and service provisions.
- Enhance efficiency through improved procurement and strategic purchasing.
- Integrate externally-funded services into primary healthcare delivery models.
- Employ health technology assessments to focus on services yielding high health returns per dollar spent.
Examples of National Responses
Several countries have already initiated measures to fortify their health systems in light of funding cuts:
- Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa: Increased health budget allocations, with Nigeria augmenting its budget by $200 million for immunizations and epidemic responses.
- Ghana: Increased its health insurance agency’s budget by 60% and introduced the “Accra Reset,” aimed at enhancing global health governance and funding.
- Uganda: Developed a clear policy agenda focused on integrating health services to sustain service delivery.
Commitment to Strengthening Health Systems
The WHO’s guidelines reinforce its commitment to aiding countries in establishing robust health systems, which are essential for achieving universal health coverage. The guidance is also aligned with World Health Assembly mandates on improving global health financing and economics.
Furthermore, WHO, along with its partners, is dedicated to providing technical assistance and analytical tools to support nations in managing health financing crises. This includes a new initiative, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Knowledge Hub, in collaboration with the Government of Japan and the World Bank, set to launch in December 2025.
