Recent funding cuts have caused “severe disruption” for health services in almost three-quarters of all countries, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Thursday, Tedros said in about 25% of countries that some health facilities had to close completely to cuts, according to figures from over 100 countries compiled by the WHO.
Serious confusion
Out-of-payment payments for health services have led to disruptions in the supply of medicines and other health products, as well as job losses in the healthcare sector.
As a result, “countries are revising budgets, reducing costs, and strengthening funding and partnerships,” said the UN Health Organization chief.
From dependence on aid to independence
As budgets must be revised, costs must be reduced, partnerships and funding must be strengthened, some countries are relying on who will support them in transitioning away from the dependence of aid on sustainable independence.
“We are currently helping the country to accelerate that transition,” Tedros has managed to avoid the health effects of sudden, unplanned cuts, citing examples of countries such as South Africa and Kenya.
WHO Recommendations
Tedros has provided the country with some recommendations on how to mitigate funding cuts.
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The world’s poorest people need to prioritize rather than a parallel donation system, by limiting the reduction in public health spending resistance and protecting donor funds in health budgets.
New revenue sources
and through short-term and long-term tools that encourage countries to generate new revenue streams.
Immediate measures such as introducing or increasing taxes on products that harm public health are another effective tool to maintain health spending, he added.
Tedros said that countries in Colombia and Gambia, which have introduced such taxes in recent years, see revenue growth and consumption declines.
In the long term, it advocates for social and community-based health insurance, where individuals or families can donate small quantities to funds that enhance health services funding.
Not all measures are suitable for all countries, but “we will work with affected countries to identify which measures are best and adjust those measures accordingly.”
