Geneva: Funding cuts have disrupted health services in nearly three-quarters of over 100 countries surveyed by the World Health Organization (WHO), with one-quarter facing facility closures, Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today. The crisis, worsened by job losses and medicine shortages, has spurred nations like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to boost health budgets by US$1.5 billion, US$200 million, US$250 million, and undisclosed amounts, respectively, as the WHO aids their shift to self-reliance.
Dr Tedros highlighted that one-quarter of country offices report higher out-of-pocket health costs, alongside disruptions in information systems and supplies. Countries are cutting costs, revising budgets, and seeking WHO’s help for innovative fundraising and technical support. WHO advises prioritizing the poorest, protecting health budgets, channeling donor funds through national plans, and boosting efficiency via better procurement and pooled purchasing. Short-term revenue tools include taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, adopted by nations like Colombia and Philippines, while long-term options like community health insurance suit some. Countries with weak tax systems need concessional loans from development banks, tailored with WHO’s guidance.
Referring to Gaza, the WHO D-G said a blockade since March 2, 2025, has halted food and medicine, with 75% of UN missions impeded last week. Supplies from a prior ceasefire are nearly gone, risking depletion in two to four weeks. Over 180,000 childhood vaccine doses are blocked, endangering 60,000 children. Since the ceasefire ended, 400,000 people have been displaced, 1,500 killed—including 500 children—and the health system struggles. Attacks persist, with 15 health workers killed on 23 March. WHO evacuated 18 patients yesterday but warns 10,000 await help, urging an end to the blockade and a ceasefire.
Myanmar’s earthquakes, ten days ago, left 3,600 dead, 5,000 injured, and 200 missing, with five health facilities destroyed and 61 damaged, he informed. Risks of cholera and malaria are rising there amid water and sanitation shortages, he added. WHO delivered 140 metric tonnes of supplies, deployed 15 emergency teams, and seeks US$8 million via a flash appeal.
In a separate move, WHO’s Exercise Polaris last week tested the Global Health Emergency Corps with 350 experts from 15 countries, simulating a virus outbreak to improve surge responses and coordination.
The two-day exercise simulated an outbreak of a fictional virus spreading across the world. “It was a rare opportunity for governments to test preparedness in a realistic environment, where trust and mutual accountability were as critical as speed and capacity,” Dr Tedros said. According to him, the exercise showed what worked well, including rapid information sharing, and coordination of surge responses. It also showed what needs to be strengthened, including connections between technical leaders.
“Exercise Polaris reaffirmed that all countries must continue investing in their emergency health workforce and in scalable mechanisms that can expand rapidly and in a coordinated manner during crises,” he stressed.
The briefing underscored WHO’s push for resilience. South Africa’s US$1.5 billion and Nigeria’s US$200 million budget hikes show action, while Gaza’s crisis demands urgent aid access. Myanmar’s response hinges on supplies and funds, and Polaris aims to sharpen global preparedness, revealing strengths in info-sharing and gaps in technical links.
– global bihari bureau
