Paucity of funds puts pandemic preparedness, efforts to fight antimicrobial resistance, and already fragile health systems around the world at risk.
This week in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus told the agency’s Executive Board that the world’s health systems are dangerously exposed.
Ghebreyesus gave this warning after what he called “one of the most difficult years” in WHO’s history. In 2025, the agency had to cut staff and disrupt health programs in many countries because of severe funding cuts. He said the effects are still being felt.
Funding Shrinks
The main problem is that international health funding is shrinking. Sudden drops in aid have made it hard for fragile health systems to cope, especially in low- and middle-income countries that rely on WHO support. Although WHO kept up its lifesaving work, the crisis showed bigger weaknesses in global health leadership.
The numbers are concerning. WHO says 4.6 billion people still do not have basic health services, and 2.1 billion struggle to pay for care. By 2030, there could be a shortage of 11 million health workers, with nurses making up more than half of that gap.
Closing Funding Gap
The WHO board is focusing on big challenges like pandemic preparedness, immunisation, antimicrobial resistance, mental health, and health emergencies in conflict areas. Ghebreyesus said the main issue now is not just having resources, but making sure they are reliable and actually help people.
To close the funding gap, WHO is urging countries to raise more money at home. They suggest steps like increasing taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to help pay for health services and rely less on outside aid.
Fragile Gains and Persistent Gaps
WHO avoided a worse financial crisis by getting Member States to pay more required contributions, so it depends less on voluntary funding. About 85 percent of the agency’s main budget for 2026–27 is already covered. Still, Ghebreyesus warned that raising the rest will be “hard to mobilise,” especially for key areas like emergency preparedness, fighting antimicrobial resistance, and climate resilience.
The urgency is clear as new threats grow. Now, one in six bacterial infections worldwide resists antibiotics, and this problem is getting worse in some places. The world also remembers COVID-19, showing that global problems need global solutions.
Innovation Amid Ambiguity
Even with less money, WHO has expanded disease tracking, used AI to spot outbreaks, and helped countries handle hundreds of health emergencies in 2025. Many of these were stopped before the public even knew about them. Last year, the Pandemic Agreement and changes to the International Health Regulations were important steps toward better preparedness.
Still, Ghebreyesus made it clear: if funding is not steady and enough, the world could be less ready for the next health emergency.
The Bigger Picture
The funding crisis is not just about money. It is also a test of how well countries can work together. Ghebreyesus told the board: “This is your WHO. Its strength is your unity. Its future is your choice.”
This statement sums up the problem for the world. If investment does not continue, the progress made in recent years could be lost, putting billions at risk from pandemics, drug-resistant infections, and failing health systems. The big question is whether governments will listen to the warning or if the world will face the next crisis even less prepared.