The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the anticipated decline in healthcare aid from abroad, projecting a decrease of 30 to 40 percent compared to 2023. This reduction has already resulted in significant deficits, with some low and middle-income countries experiencing cuts of up to 70 percent in essential health services, as detailed in a new WHO report covering 108 nations.
The report highlights that over 50 of these countries have reported job losses among health and care workers, a situation exacerbated by long-standing financial challenges characterized by inflation, sovereign debt obligations, and a heavy reliance on external support. Critical health services, including maternal care, vaccination programs, and disease monitoring, are now at risk, according to the WHO.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, lamented the “sudden and unplanned cuts to aid,” which have adversely affected many countries, resulting in lost lives and endangered health achievements. He emphasized the necessity for nations to shift away from dependence on aid towards sustainable self-reliance, encouraging the utilization of domestic resources to protect the most vulnerable populations.
In response to funding cuts, some countries are taking proactive steps. For instance, Nigeria has allocated an additional $200 million to its health budget, while Ghana has increased its national health insurance fund by 60 percent by lifting a cap on excise tax revenues. These initiatives showcase the importance of national leadership and global solidarity in upholding health systems amid diminishing foreign assistance.
In a separate development, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk praised Australia’s first formal treaty with Indigenous Peoples, which he described as a historic step towards justice and equality. Newly enacted in Victoria, the treaty establishes a democratically elected First Peoples Assembly and includes bodies focused on truth-telling and accountability, reflecting a significant move towards addressing injustices stemming from colonization.
Mr. Türk articulated that if properly implemented, Victoria’s approach could transform Indigenous representation, allowing communities to shape laws and policies impacting their lives. This development follows the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which sought constitutional recognition and a voice for Indigenous Australians. He expressed hope that this milestone would inspire similar initiatives across Australia.
Furthermore, the independent UN experts have sounded the alarm regarding the plight of women in Haiti amid the country’s ongoing crisis. The UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls highlighted that while women are bearing the brunt of the conflict, they remain excluded from key decision-making processes. Currently, the transitional leadership is entirely male, and the cabinet lacks adequate female representation.
The experts condemned the use of sexual violence as a “weapon of terror” by criminal gangs, particularly in Port-au-Prince. They called for immediate action from Haitian authorities and international partners to ensure women’s equal participation in political and recovery processes, emphasizing that addressing Haiti’s crisis requires confronting the underlying gendered dynamics of violence and governance.
These events underline the urgent need for international cooperation and local leadership to secure health services and enhance human rights for marginalized groups worldwide.