BEIJING, 3 May (Alliance News): The world is experiencing the worst crisis in global health financing in living memory, warned World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press conference held in Geneva.
Dr. Tedros said the crisis has been triggered by abrupt cuts in overseas development assistance and a deteriorating global economic and trade environment, which are now causing widespread disruption in the public health sector.
He emphasized that the repercussions are being felt most severely by poor and marginalized communities.
Highlighting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as an example, the WHO chief said over one billion people are affected, yet progress in fighting these diseases has stalled.
“In the past two decades, more than 1.7 billion people in 26 countries have received over three billion treatments,” he said.
“But due to sudden funding cuts — including by the United States and other donors — treatment for over 140 million people has been delayed, and research and development of essential medical tools has slowed.”
Tedros called on all governments to continue supporting health initiatives and not abandon the most vulnerable populations. “The achievements of decades are at risk. We cannot turn a blind eye while diseases continue to spread due to climate change and regional conflicts,” he added.
