Consumer Choice Center Advocates for Significant Revisions to WHO Governance and Operations Amidst Approval of Increased Mandatory Membership
India: The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing intense scrutiny following the approval of a 20% increase in mandatory membership dues, amounting to an additional $120 million per year extracted directly from taxpayers worldwide.The Consumer Choice Center joins critics in questioning whether the organization truly deserves this financial boost, citing significant issues with transparency, accountability, and the allocation of funds. In a country like India, where over 60% of health expenditure is out-of-pocket and public health systems remain severely underfunded, questions around the WHO's spending priorities resonate deeply.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced an increase in its mandatory membership dues-known as assessed contributions—by 20%. For 2026 and 2027, this will amount to an additional $120 million per year , drawn straight from taxpayers around the globe. The WHO allocates funding through both voluntary contributions, which are earmarked for specific health programs, and assessed contributions. Assessed contributions provide the WHO leadership, including Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, with greater discretion in how the funds are utilized. These funds are directed into flexible funding streams. This occurs while global healthcare systems experience challenges related to underfunding, growing waitlists, and staff shortages.
Funds are being allocated to various initiatives, including upgrades to the WHO's Geneva headquarters. Senior staff benefits include education allowances of $33,000 per child. The total annual cost for the WHO's 301 most senior staff is approximately $130 million, averaging $432,000 per person, inclusive of benefits and allowances.
Sharing his thoughts on the potential utilisation of these additional funds, Fred Roeder, Managing Director, Consumer Choice Center said, 'The $120 million being extracted in new dues each year could directly fund healthcare for 15,000 Germans, 40,000 Poles, 82,000 Georgians, 100,000 South Africans and 500,000 Indians . In India, $120 million annually could fund cancer treatment for 40,000 patients under Ayushman Bharat or cover the full immunization of over 2 million children. That same amount could also strengthen tobacco cessation services across the country, which remain vastly under-resourced despite India having over 260 million tobacco users . Even more troubling, this shift toward 'core funding' is part of a deliberate WHO strategy: to move away from specific, donor-driven initiatives and toward general budget increases it can spend at will—on salaries, travel, and yes, real estate. These are not funds being poured into pandemic preparedness or child vaccination programs. They are being funnelled into a top-heavy administrative structure with minimal transparency and questionable accountability.'
The WHO's defenders argue that the organization needs more freedom to respond to global health threats. But freedom without scrutiny leads to mission drift and misallocation. The organization already has a poor record of pandemic response and a reputation for political entanglements. Its handling of tobacco control in India reflects this too—offering ideological prescriptions rather than collaborative, evidence-based support that balances public health, trade, and economic development. The last thing it needs is a blank check. The world needs a lean, targeted health response team. Let's refocus the WHO on solving global health crises, prioritizing impact over institutional expansion.
National governments should refuse further increases to assessed contributions until the WHO commits to radical transparency reforms, trims senior compensation packages, and rededicates itself to programmatic funding that puts patient care first. We owe that much to the people who are actually sick—and not just those with corner offices in Geneva. India, as a G20 leader and a major player in global health diplomacy, should demand accountability before committing more taxpayer funds. It must condition future WHO funding on results-driven support for local challenges—like modernizing tobacco regulation, enabling farmer transitions, and enforcing traceability to combat the illicit trade that harms both public health and revenue.
Consumer Choice Center
The Consumer Choice Center is an independent, non-partisan consumer advocacy group championing the benefits of freedom of choice, innovation, and abundance in everyday life. Through research and educational outreach, we advocate for smart policies that promote growth, lifestyle choice, and tech innovation. We empower consumers to raise their voice and fight for their right to choose—whether it's the products they buy, the technologies they use, or the lifestyle they live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
COVID-19 Cases In India: Active Cases Rise To 5,364; Delhi 592 - Kerala Leading With 1,679 Cases; 4 Deaths In 24 Hours
COVID 19 Cases Rising In India Live Updates: India is once again witnessing an unsettling rise in COVID-19 cases, with the number of active infections climbing to 5,364; according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's latest update as of 8:00 AM IST, June 7, 2025. Leading the current spike is Kerala, with 192 fresh infections, pushing its active caseload to 1,679; nearly half of the country's total. Meanwhile, West Bengal added 58 new cases, increasing its active tally to 596, while the national capital Delhi, recorded 30 new infections, taking its active cases to 592. Maharashtra, another state that has seen consistent rises in previous waves, reported 22 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections recorded to 548, as per the state's public health department. As per May 2025 classifications by the World Health Organization (WHO), subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 are categorized as Variants Under Monitoring, meaning they are not yet deemed as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest. However, these strains are suspected to be contributing to the rising infections not just in India but also across China and other parts of Asia. Despite the emergence of new subvariants, the JN.1 strain remains the most dominant, accounting for a staggering 53% of all positive cases across the country. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a case of NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat earlier this month. With the virus subtly shifting form and symptoms evolving, health authorities are urging the public to maintain precautionary measures, including hygiene, mask use in crowded places, and timely testing. Although hospitalisation remains low, experts warn that complacency could reverse progress. Stay informed, and if you're experiencing mild symptoms like fatigue, a sore throat, or gastrointestinal discomfort, it's best to test early and isolate to prevent further spread. Say Tuned To Zee News For Latest Updates...
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Measles spike in US shows how vaccine hesitancy threatens decades of public-health progress
Vaccines are critical tools for the containment and elimination of infectious diseases. They work not merely by protecting individuals, but by reducing community transmission. There have been several global pushes to improve vaccine uptake over the years, but one major coordinated effort occurred in 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic, which saw the most rapid vaccine introduction in history. Globally, the years with the most vaccine introductions have typically coincided with public health initiatives, funding boosts, or as a response to pandemics. The 1980s and 1990s saw WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) with DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), polio, measles, BCG (tuberculosis) vaccines and Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines introduced in the late 1990s. The 2000s saw accelerated introductions of Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and yellow fever vaccines in low-income countries, marking a shift in global access to routine vaccines. The introduction of new and underused vaccines like pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus vaccine, HPV and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine marked the next decade. The United States is currently experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, with 1,046 confirmed cases as of May 27. This marks a sharp increase from previous years, with the majority of cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals in regions with declining immunisation rates. Measles was officially eliminated from the US in 2000. This implies that new cases occur only when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. A new study from Johns Hopkins points out that the significant drop in childhood vaccination rates is concerning because herd immunity requires at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage. The MMR vaccine is probably one of the most effective vaccines. A single dose gives 93 per cent protection from infection, and two doses up to 98 per cent. Measles, which can be deadly for unvaccinated children, is highly contagious. Factors like post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy, non-evidence-based fears of the association between the MMR vaccine and autism, and the complacency of populations who may not remember the long-term sequelae of measles infection are behind the dwindling measles vaccination rates in the US. Measles is often regarded as the 'canary in the coalmine' — if cases spread, it is a warning that other disease outbreaks might spring up where there are gaps in vaccination coverage. Its resurgence in the US is a global warning that even advanced health systems are vulnerable without consistent immunisation. Globally, only 83 per cent of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023; 74 per cent received the second dose. These figures fall short of the 95 per cent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. India has made significant strides in its immunisation efforts, particularly under the UIP. India achieved a national immunisation coverage of 93.5 per cent in 2023–24, indicating that the majority of children received all recommended vaccines by the age of two. Since its inception, Mission Indradhanush, focused on areas with low immunisation rates, has completed 12 phases, vaccinating 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women across 554 districts. However, the measles upsurge in the US shows one cannot ignore increasing vaccine hesitancy, particularly since it threatens to throw away the gains made in the containment of infectious diseases. In resource-limited settings, this can lead to healthcare systems being overwhelmed and a general delay in uptake of new vaccines. Misinformation has contributed significantly to the declining uptake for vaccines. The flu vaccination rates among NHS staff in the UK, for instance, dropped to their lowest in nearly 15 years in 2024-25. So far, India has remained immune to vaccine hesitancy. Previous experience with successful vaccination campaigns and government endorsements have played an important role in creating a positive perception of vaccines. However, we must remain alert and actively consider putting in place a multi-pronged, culturally nuanced plan to address vaccine hesitancy. The writer is senior scientist, ICMR
Deccan Herald
8 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
The silent surge: Early onset of chronic illnesses
Across India's sprawling office complexes, sleek co-working hubs, and hybrid home workspaces, a health crisis is silently unfolding. While much attention is focused on digital disruption, AI transformation, and skilling for the future, an equally urgent, less recognised, and under-discussed crisis is taking root: the early onset of chronic illnesses among working Indians, often a decade earlier than seen Employee Health Report 2025, by Plum, analysed data from over 100,000 telehealth consultations, 25,000 insurance claims, 1,998 health camp participants, and 512 survey responses across 6,000+ companies. The report reveals a stark reality: chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders are now manifesting by the age of 35 or even earlier in India's salaried class. For a nation staking its future on its demographic dividend, this is both an economic and social red flag. What it signifies is a decade of lost health. In most developed countries, lifestyle-related chronic conditions tend to show up post-age -50, giving people a full three decades of stable employment productivity before grappling with health setbacks. But in India, the average age of onset has slid into the thirties, even the late twenties. What is alarming is the intensity and clustering of these diseases: comorbidities are becoming the norm rather than the mental health at report highlights that nearly 20% of urban white-collar workers in India suffer from multiple chronic ailments. Worse still, mental health issues are surging, with 1 in 5 employees having sought professional help, and 1 in 5 considering quitting due to burnout. This is just the data captured from insured employees, an urban upper crust. The figures among gig workers, contractual staff, and MSME employees – most without insurance or workplace wellness programmes – would be factors are driving this premature health decline: First, ironically, is the nature of work itself. India's service economy, powered by IT, finance, education, media, and e-commerce, leans heavily on sedentary desk jobs. With the rise of remote work, digital presence has replaced physical exertion. Employees routinely clock 10-12-hour days, eyes glued to screens, meals skipped or hastily eaten, and movement limited to keystrokes and Zoom a growing urban disconnect from wellness. In metropolitan areas, access to green spaces, safe pedestrian infrastructure, or time for leisure activity is shrinking. Long commutes, overcrowding, and pollution aggravate physical inactivity and highly processed, delivery-based food makes a recipe for metabolic is the phenomenon of cultural stigma and denial. In workplaces, chronic fatigue, burnout, or depression are often dismissed as a 'phase', a lack of willpower, or even laziness. This stigma drives employees to delay seeking care. Until they mental health problems are growing. What is unfolding is not just a physical health crisis, but a psychological one. Burnout is no longer a buzzword; it is a lived reality. Employees report symptoms ranging from insomnia and anxiety to persistent demotivation and even clinical depression. Managers are often unable to identify or act upon these red flags, partly due to a lack of training and outdated assumptions about 'professionalism.' This is made worse by the demand for longer work hours. Unlike physical illnesses that have defined markers and treatment paths, mental health disorders are murkier and harder to quantify – making them both widespread and dangerously economic costs of this invisible but growing health challenge are inescapable. Chronic illnesses are not just private tragedies – they are societal economic liabilities. A workforce beset by hypertension or stress is less productive, more prone to absenteeism, and more likely to switch jobs frequently. For companies, this translates into spiralling health insurance claims, lost person-hours, and increasing employee turnover. At a macro level, the early onset of chronic diseases shortens productive work lives, potentially flattening India's much-touted demographic dividend. For a country hoping to leverage its young population to power global growth engines, this is akin to trying to sprint on a sprained in is a need for a new paradigm of workplace health. We can no longer afford to treat employee health as a side benefit or a corporate box-ticking exercise. We need a fundamental shift in how workplaces think about health – from reactive treatment to initiative-taking well-being. What might such a shift look like?.Institutionalising preventive health checks: Annual health screenings, biometric risk assessments, and lifestyle counselling should become default offerings. These should be mandated and subsidised, particularly in sectors like IT, finance, and movement into the workday: Standing desks, stretch breaks, walking meetings, and ergonomic workplace design can go a long way in reducing the toll of sedentary lifestyles. Urban planners and architects too must rethink the live-work-commute health first aid: Companies must not only offer access to mental health professionals but actively normalise the use of these services. Mental health sick days, manager sensitisation workshops, and peer support groups must be and policy: Just as CSR mandates funding social causes, a small percentage of profits could be directed to health and wellness infrastructure, including access to gym memberships, therapy, and is time to address the rapid epidemiological transition from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases in both urban and rural India. The early onset of chronic diseases must receive dedicated attention through awareness and surveillance mechanisms. Employers, policymakers, and healthcare providers must collaborate to foster a culture that prioritises health and data is clear. The trend is urgent. The impact is generational. Investing in employee health is not just an economic necessity but a moral imperative. Our greatest asset – human capital – must not become our greatest vulnerability..(The writer is the Director of School of Social Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences)
