Global health funding is facing historical challenges as countries funding their contributions, the General Manager of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned today. Tedros Antanom Gembregens.

The government of the US president Donald Trump He retired from when he had just assumed duties in January, arguing that the Agency was mismanzing the Covid-19 pandemic and other international health crises. The US is by far its largest financier, which contributes about 18% to its total funding.

“We are living the biggest disorder in global health funding in time,” Tentros told reporters at his headquarters in Geneva.

THE WHERE He revised his budget after the US withdrawal, which has worsened a funding crisis in the organization.

Asked by Reuters about the possibility of further revisions in the budget, its general manager who did not rule out this possibility, as the organization’s administration continues to evaluate the situation.

Faced with an income gap of almost $ 600 million this year, which proposed a reduction in its budget for the period 2026-27 by 21%, from $ 5.3 billion to $ 4.2 billion according to the internal memorandum in March.

“Of course this is very painful,” Tentros said, warning that cuts will have a significant impact on people’s health around the world.

He emphasizes that he is considering saving money at regional, central and national level.

It will reduce jobs at its headquarters in Geneva, and will close some offices in high -income countries and above, the head of the organization said.

One quarter of his payroll costs that will not be covered for the next two years, he was warned by the head of his business activities who, Raul Thomas. He said it is not yet possible to say how many jobs will be cut.

Tedros also said that the WHO wants to expand the base of its donors, acknowledging that it is facing a structural problem, as it depends to an excessive extent on voluntary contributions – representing 80% of the body’s overall budget – derived from a few donors.