The World Health Organization has announced it will reduce its executive management team by nearly half following major funding cuts from the United States.
In an email sent to staff on Wednesday, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said only six members will remain on the management team at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, down from 11. The changes will take effect from June 16.
Two top officials who played major roles during the COVID-19 pandemic — Dr Mike Ryan from Ireland and Dr Bruce Aylward from Canada — will be leaving.
“Mike planned to leave over two years ago but stayed on at my request, and I am very thankful for that,” Dr Tedros wrote in another email.
“His steady presence has been instrumental during our toughest times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr Aylward led WHO’s work on universal health coverage, while Dr Ryan served as emergencies director.
Among the five remaining team members is British medical expert Jeremy Farrar, who will now oversee health promotion and disease control. His role as chief scientist will be taken over by French doctor Sylvie Briand, who currently leads the agency’s work on pandemics.
The cuts come after the United States, which was WHO’s biggest donor, stopped making payments. The US had given about $1.3 billion for WHO’s 2022-2023 budget, mostly for specific health programmes. However, the country did not pay its 2024 dues and is not expected to pay in 2025 either.
Dr Tedros told member states last month that WHO was now facing a budget gap of between $560 million and $650 million for 2026-2027.
Although the exact number of job losses has not been announced, Dr Tedros said the biggest impact will be felt at the Geneva headquarters, especially among top management.
“This decision is not easy, but it is necessary for us to stay effective and focus on our priorities,” he said.
More discussions about WHO’s funding and future are expected next week when health ministers and country representatives gather for the agency’s yearly meeting.
