The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Nigeria has allocated an extra $200 million to its 2025 health budget in response to global funding cuts affecting health systems.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, revealed this in a speech published on the organization’s website on Sunday. He explained that the move aims to cushion the negative impact of sudden and unplanned reductions in international aid, which have disrupted health services in many countries.
The cuts follow an executive order from the Trump administration earlier this year, which temporarily suspended foreign aid. Though a waiver was later granted to allow continued support for HIV treatments under the PEPFAR program, WHO noted that 70% of its country offices still reported major health service disruptions.
According to WHO’s rapid assessment of over 100 countries, the funding crisis has led to health facility closures, increased out-of-pocket costs, job losses among health workers, and disruptions in medicine supply and health information systems.
Dr. Tedros commended countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana for taking proactive steps to close funding gaps and reduce dependence on foreign aid. He noted South Africa’s approval of $1.5 billion for health, Kenya’s $250 million request for additional funding, and Ghana’s budget adjustments.
He emphasized the importance of protecting health spending, especially for the poorest, and advised countries to consider innovative financing strategies—such as taxing tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks—to raise revenue. Countries like Colombia, the Philippines, and South Africa have successfully used such measures.
For long-term solutions, Dr. Tedros recommended the adoption of social or community-based health insurance systems and suggested that countries with weak tax infrastructure may need concessional loans from development banks.
He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to helping countries transition from aid dependency to sustainable health financing tailored to their specific needs