The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that global health systems are increasingly at risk due to rising pandemics, drug-resistant infections, and fragile healthcare services, compounded by severe funding cuts. Speaking at the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the impact of workforce reductions and sudden declines in bilateral aid during 2025, describing it as one of the most challenging years in the agency’s history. While WHO managed to sustain lifesaving operations, the funding crisis exposed deeper vulnerabilities in global health governance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries struggling to maintain essential services.
Tedros emphasized that the funding shortfall is part of a wider retreat from international health financing, forcing countries to make difficult decisions. WHO is supporting nations in sustaining essential services and transitioning from aid dependency to self-reliance, with strategies including domestic resource mobilization through taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Despite these efforts, the scale of unmet needs remains enormous: 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, 2.1 billion face financial hardship due to health costs, and a global shortage of 11 million health workers is projected by 2030, over half of whom will be nurses.
The organization avoided a deeper financial crisis thanks to increased mandatory assessed contributions from Member States, which reduced reliance on voluntary, earmarked funding. WHO has mobilized about 85 percent of the resources needed for its core budget for 2026–27, but Tedros cautioned that the remaining gap will be difficult to fill, particularly for underfunded areas like emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and climate resilience.
Despite these challenges, WHO has made significant progress. Last year saw the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement and amended International Health Regulations to strengthen preparedness after COVID-19. The agency also expanded disease surveillance, implemented AI-powered epidemic intelligence systems, and supported countries in responding to hundreds of health emergencies, many of which were contained early. However, one in six bacterial infections globally is now resistant to antibiotics, a concerning trend that is accelerating in some regions.
Tedros concluded by stressing the importance of global solidarity, warning that predictable and sufficient financing is essential for preparing for future health emergencies. He urged Member States to recognize WHO’s collective strength, stating that its effectiveness depends on their unity and commitment to supporting global health systems.
