The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the growing disruptions to global health systems, with 70% of its surveyed country offices reporting significant impacts from sudden suspensions and reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) for health.
According to a recent rapid assessment conducted by the WHO, the suspension of aid could have far-reaching consequences, especially in vulnerable and fragile countries. The findings underscore the urgent need for international intervention to prevent long-term damage to health services worldwide.
The WHO’s stock take, conducted between March and April 2025, surveyed 108 country offices, primarily in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The report highlights that while many nations are attempting to reallocate funding from domestic and alternative external sources, a significant portion—up to 24%—have reported that budget cuts are leading to increased out-of-pocket payments. The poorest and most vulnerable populations are expected to suffer the most.
“These results are deeply concerning,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The sudden and unplanned cuts to aid are severely affecting the health of millions, but they also represent an opportunity for countries to transition from aid dependency to greater self-reliance based on domestic resources. WHO is working closely with these nations to help navigate this challenging situation.”
The rapid stock take provides a snapshot of the situation as reported by WHO country offices, which work directly with national ministries of health. These offices are tasked with providing regular support for health systems policies, planning, and strategies. The WHO aims to use this data to identify urgent support needs and guide future actions to prevent a collapse of essential health services.
Key findings from the report include:
- Health system functions, particularly in health emergency preparedness (70%), public health surveillance (66%), and service provision (58%), are experiencing widespread disruptions.
- At least one-third of responding countries reported service disruptions, particularly in areas such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, family planning, and maternal and child health.
- The scale and nature of these disruptions are comparable to the impacts seen during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in certain regions.
- One-third of countries surveyed are facing critical shortages in medicines and health products, severely hindering their ability to provide essential services.
- Job losses among health and care workers have been reported in over half of the countries surveyed, alongside major disruptions to training programs.
- Key health information systems are also being affected, with more than 40% of countries reporting disruptions to surveillance systems, health management information systems, and population surveys.
In response to these findings, 81 of the 108 WHO country offices have requested assistance across a range of areas, including innovative funding strategies, technical support, and resource mobilization.
Given the rapidly changing situation, WHO plans to continue monitoring the situation closely, engaging the global health community, and collaborating with partners and donors to formulate a comprehensive response plan. The organization aims to mitigate the deepening impacts of the crisis while striving for greater sustainability in global health systems.
The WHO’s assessment highlights the critical need for immediate action to address these disruptions and ensure the continued health and well-being of populations around the world.
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