The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a critical warning about widespread disruptions in global health services following significant cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA).
According to a new report published on the WHO website, 70% of WHO’s country offices—mainly in lower-middle-income countries—have reported serious operational setbacks due to suspended or reduced donor funding.
The findings stem from a rapid assessment conducted in March and April 2025 across 108 country offices, revealing that the most affected area is health emergency preparedness and response, with critical impacts also reported in public health surveillance, humanitarian aid, and workforce stability.
The WHO emphasized that these funding shortfalls are already forcing patients to pay more out-of-pocket, weakening essential health systems and undermining progress toward universal health coverage. The agency is calling for urgent international intervention to restore funding and avoid long-term damage to global health infrastructure.