GENEVA – The World Health Organisation has slashed its budget by nearly $1 billion and has cut 300 jobs at the UN agency’s headquarters, because of financial constraints in donor countries, according to WHO officials.
The decision, taken yesterday by health ministers at the WHO annual meeting, follows a call by member states for a more “realistic” budget after a $300 million shortfall last year.
However, its partnerships with the private sector and foundations that provide a growing share of voluntary contributions have led activists to fear the WHO’s independence could be compromised. – (Reuters)