WHO issues guidance to address drastic global health financing cuts

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released new guidance for countries on ways to counter the immediate and long-term effects of sudden and severe cuts to external funding, which are disrupting the delivery of essential health services in many countries.

External health aid is projected to drop by 30% to 40% in 2025 compared with 2023, causing immediate and severe disruption to health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO survey data from 108 LMICs collected in March 2025 indicate that funding cuts have reduced critical services – including maternal care, vaccination, health emergency preparedness and response, and disease surveillance – by up to 70% in some countries. More than 50 countries have reported job losses among health and care workers, along with major disruptions to health worker training programmes.

Swift action guided by efficiency and equity   

• prioritize the health services accessed by the poorest;
• protect health budgets and essential health services;
• improve efficiency through better procurement, reduced overheads and strategic purchasing;
• integrate externally-funded or disease-specific services into comprehensive PHC-based delivery models; and
• use health technology assessments to prioritize services and products that have the greatest health impact per dollar spent.

Country leadership and global solidarity are critical

Several countries have already taken decisive action to strengthen their health systems and protect essential health services:

• Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have allocated additional budget funds to health, or are awaiting parliamentary approval for increases;
• Nigeria increased its health budget by US$ 200 million to offset aid shortfalls, with increased allocations for immunization, epidemic response, and priority programmes;
• Ghana lifted the cap on excise tax earmarked for its national health insurance agency, resulting in a 60% budget increase. The country also launched “the Accra Reset”, a bold framework to reimagine global governance, financing and partnerships in health and development; and
• Uganda has outlined a clear policy agenda for integration of health services and programmes, aiming to improve efficiency and sustain service delivery.