WHO Issues Alert on Global Health Service Disruptions
Geneva, Friday, 11 April 2025.
With 70% of countries reporting severe disruptions due to aid cuts, urgent international response is needed to protect vulnerable health systems, similar to early COVID-19 impacts.
Scale of Health System Disruption
The World Health Organization’s rapid assessment conducted in March-April 2025 reveals disruptions affecting critical health services across multiple domains. Most significantly impacted are health emergency preparedness and response at 70%, public health surveillance at 66%, and general service provision at 58% of surveyed countries [1]. The scale of these disruptions mirrors the severe impacts observed during peak COVID-19 periods, with one-third of responding countries reporting critical shortages in essential medicines and health products [2].
Financial Impact and Healthcare Access
The financial implications are particularly severe, with the WHO facing a substantial budget deficit of $2.5 billion for the 2025/27 period, representing approximately 25% of its total budget [3]. This shortfall has immediate consequences, as 24% of surveyed countries report increased out-of-pocket payments for vulnerable populations [1]. The United States, a major contributor, currently owes $260 million in membership fees for 2024-25, with additional unpaid fees dating back to 2023 [3].
Workforce and Service Delivery Challenges
The crisis has triggered significant job losses in the healthcare sector, affecting more than half of the surveyed countries [1]. Information systems vital for healthcare delivery have been compromised, with over 40% of countries experiencing disruptions to key data collection systems, including disease surveillance and laboratory information systems [4]. These disruptions are particularly concerning in regions already grappling with humanitarian crises, such as Myanmar, where healthcare infrastructure faces additional strain from recent natural disasters [5].
International Response and Future Outlook
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes that while these cuts present immediate challenges, they also drive an accelerated transition toward more sustainable, self-reliant health systems [1]. Countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are actively increasing their domestic health budgets to mitigate the impact of reduced international aid [3]. The WHO is currently monitoring the situation and engaging with the global health community to develop urgent response plans, with 81 of the 108 WHO country offices requesting support across various health areas [1].