The USA has been the largest single financier and accounted for approximately 18 percent of the WHO's budget. The fact that President Donald Trump has chosen to withdraw his country from the organization leaves a large hole in the treasury.
At the WHO's general assembly, much revolves around the budget.
Patient care is being missed, healthcare facilities have closed, healthcare workers have lost their jobs, says General Secretary Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus according to NTB in his opening speech in Geneva, Switzerland.
The WHO lacks approximately 600 million dollars in this year's budget and faces major challenges. The hope is that member countries will agree to increase their annual fixed contributions by at least 20 percent. This is to reduce the need for voluntary contributions.
In the wake of the USA's withdrawal, other countries have also reduced their contributions to the organization, and there is concern that the WHO will lose its mandate.
Countries are spending enormous sums of money to protect themselves against attacks from other countries, but relatively little on protecting themselves against an invisible enemy that can cause significantly greater harm, says Ghebreyesus, referring to dangerous diseases, infections, and the need for preventive care.
An important point at this year's meeting is the agreement on pandemic preparedness that is to be addressed.
