Geneva: The effect of the US funding cuts is already visible and will be "greater," the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said Monday, asking Washington to reconsider its decision. The impact of funding cuts through USAID and other agencies "will be even greater, and we are already seeing them," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a WHO press briefing.

According to Anadolu Agency, Tedros stated that in many countries, the loss of US funding threatens to reverse progress in disease control, immunization rates, maternal and child health, and emergency preparedness. "Many of the gains" in malaria achieved over the past 20 years are "now at risk," he said. There are significant disruptions in the supply of malaria diagnostics, medicines, and insecticide-treated bed nets due to stock-outs, delayed delivery, or lack of funding.

Tedros noted that the US has been "the largest bilateral donor" in the fight against malaria over the last two decades. He warned that if disruptions continue, there could be an additional 15 million cases of malaria and 107,000 deaths this year alone, reversing 15 years of progress.

He highlighted a similar situation with HIV, explaining that the suspension of most funding to PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) caused an immediate halt to services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in more than 50 countries. As a result, eight countries are experiencing significant disruptions to antiretroviral therapy and are expected to run out of medicines in the coming months, though he did not specify the countries.

Disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress, leading to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and 3 million HIV-related deaths, more than triple last year's death toll. In terms of tuberculosis (TB), Tedros mentioned that 27 countries in Africa and Asia are facing severe breakdowns in their response, including shortages of human resources, disruptions to diagnosis and treatment, and the collapse of data and surveillance systems.

Nine countries have reported failing procurement and supply chains for TB drugs, he emphasized, highlighting the importance of US support for TB services, which has been significant over the past two decades. The WHO's Global Measles and Rubella Network, funded solely by the US, faces an imminent shutdown. This is particularly concerning given the resurgence of measles, with 57 large or disruptive outbreaks reported last year, a number that has been rising for three years.

Tedros also noted that the sudden cuts to US funding are affecting efforts to eradicate polio and monitor emerging diseases such as avian influenza, as well as respond to disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises. Nearly 24 million people in such crises are at risk of losing access to essential health services, with over 2,600 health facilities in 12 humanitarian crises having already suspended services partially or imminently.

While acknowledging the US's right to decide on its support, Tedros urged the country to ensure that any withdrawal of direct funding for countries is done in an orderly manner, allowing them to find alternative funding sources. He called on the US to reconsider its support for global health, emphasizing that it not only saves lives worldwide but also enhances US safety by preventing international outbreaks.

If the US decides not to restore direct funding, Tedros asked for engagement in dialogue with affected countries to facilitate the transition from reliance on US funding to sustainable solutions without life-costing disruptions. He also urged other states to step up and increase domestic health spending, describing it as "now more important than ever."