Hub Discussion Forum

🌍 Major warning sign: Health Financing at a Crossroads

A new report from The World Bank shows that low- and lower-middle-income countries are facing a steep decline in combined government and donor health spending by 2030.

📉 Health spending remains far below what is needed for universal health coverage, with stagnation since 2018 and sharp cuts to development assistance expected to widen the gap further.

Still, the report highlights a path forward.

🔑 Countries can still shift course by:
• Prioritizing primary health care and improving efficiency
• Aligning remaining external aid with national priorities
• Increasing the share of domestic budgets for health
• Expanding fiscal space through health taxes and broader reforms

Bold action now can save lives, strengthen systems, and drive economic growth.

📘 Read the full report:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/health/publication/government-resources-projections-health-financing-report#1

#GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #UHC #WorldBank

💰 New WHO Guidance: Responding to the Global Health Financing Emergency

Global health systems are under pressure. With external health aid projected to fall by up to 40% in 2025, essential services like maternal care, vaccination, and disease surveillance are being disrupted across more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance: “Responding to the Health Financing Emergency: Immediate Measures and Longer-Term Shifts.” It outlines concrete steps countries can take to protect essential services, integrate donor-funded programmes, and transition towards sustainable domestic financing.

As Dr. Tedros noted, “In the crisis lies an opportunity for countries to transition away from aid dependency towards sustainable self-reliance.”

Resilient systems require both country leadership and global solidarity.
Read more: 🔗  https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/health-financing/responding-to-the-health-financing-emergency-conference-copy.pdf?sfvrsn=ff8988cb_3

#GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #UHC #HealthSystems #Resilience #HealthEquity #WHO

🌍 Big Decisions Loom for Global Health at the 78th World Health Assembly (by Molly Moss)

As the 78th World Health Assembly kicks off in Geneva (May 19–27), global leaders are set to make pivotal decisions for health worldwide. Two major developments headline the agenda: a new Pandemic Agreement—the product of three years of negotiations—aimed at improving global coordination, equity, and preparedness through a One Health approach; and urgent efforts to address WHO’s projected $2.5B budget shortfall, which threatens its ability to carry out core programs.

Reforms under discussion include restructuring WHO’s global operations, expanding flexible funding sources, and adopting stronger commitments to health financing aligned with the Lusaka Agenda. While financial constraints loom, the Pandemic Agreement signals renewed global cooperation and commitment to lessons learned from COVID-19.

This Assembly may redefine the trajectory of global health systems in a time of complex, intersecting crises. Stay tuned and stay engaged.

Read the full article here:  https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/big-decisions-loom-for-global-health-at-the-78th-world-health-assembly/

#WHA78 #PandemicAccord #GlobalHealth #WHOReform #HealthFinancing #OneHealth #SDG3