
WHO meets in Geneva amid US funding uncertainty
LONDON/GENEVA: Hundreds of officials from the World Health Organization will join donors and diplomats in
Geneva
from Monday with one question dominating their thoughts - how to cope with crises from mpox to cholera without their main funder, the United States.
The annual assembly, with its week of sessions, votes and policy decisions, usually showcases the scale of the UN agency set up to tackle disease outbreaks, approve vaccines and support health systems worldwide.
This year - since US President
Donald Trump
started the year-long process to leave the
WHO
with an executive order on his first day in office in January - the main theme is scaling down.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
"Our goal is to focus on the high-value stuff,"
Daniel Thornton
, the WHO's director of coordinated resource mobilisation, told Reuters.
Just what that "high-value stuff" will be is up for discussion. Health officials have said the WHO's work in providing guidelines for countries on new vaccines and treatments for conditions from obesity to
HIV
will remain a priority.
Live Events
One WHO slideshow for the event, shared with donors and seen by Reuters, suggested work on approving new medicines and responding to outbreaks would be protected, while training programmes and offices in wealthier countries could be closed.
The United States had provided around 18% of the WHO's funding. "We've got to make do with what we have," said one Western diplomat who asked not to be named.
Staff have been getting ready - cutting managers and budgets - ever since Trump's January announcement in a rush of directives and aid cuts that have disrupted a string of multilateral pacts and initiatives. The year-long delay, mandated under US law, means the US is still a WHO member - its flag still flies outside the Geneva HQ - until its official departure date on January 21, 2026.
CHINA TAKES LEAD
As the United States prepares to exit, China is set to become the biggest provider of state fees - one of the WHO's main streams of funding alongside donations.
China's contribution will rise from just over 15% to 20% of the total state fee pot under an overhaul of the funding system agreed in 2022.
"We have to adapt ourselves to multilateral organisations without the Americans. Life goes on," Chen Xu, China's ambassador to Geneva, told reporters last month. Others have suggested this might be a time for an even broader overhaul, rather than continuity under a reshuffled hierarchy of backers.
"Does WHO need all its committees? Does it need to be publishing thousands of publications each year?" said Anil Soni, chief executive of the WHO Foundation, an independent fund-raising body for the agenc

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Measles cases surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier?
Sydney: Measles has been rising globally in recent years. There were an estimated 10.3 million cases worldwide in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from 2022. Outbreaks are being reported all over the world including in the United States, Europe and the Western Pacific region (which includes Australia ). For example, Vietnam has reportedly seen thousands of cases in 2024 and 2025. In Australia, 77 cases of measles have been recorded in the first five months of 2025, compared with 57 cases in all of 2024. Measles cases in Australia are almost all related to international travel. They occur in travellers returning from overseas, or are contracted locally after mixing with an infected traveller or their contacts. Measles most commonly affects children and is preventable with vaccination, given in Australia in two doses at 12 and 18 months old. But in light of current outbreaks globally, is there a case for reviewing the timing of measles vaccinations? Some measles basics Measles is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and a rash. While it presents as a mild illness in most cases, measles can lead to severe disease requiring hospitalisation, and even death. Large outbreaks can overwhelm health systems. Measles can have serious health consequences, such as in the brain and the immune system, years after the infection. Measles spreads from person to person via small respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air for two hours. It's highly contagious - one person with measles can spread the infection to 12-18 people who aren't immune. Because measles is so infectious, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two-dose vaccination coverage above 95 per cent to stop the spread and achieve "herd immunity". Low and declining vaccine coverage, especially since the COVID pandemic, is driving global outbreaks. When are children vaccinated against measles? Newborn babies are generally protected against measles thanks to maternal antibodies. Maternal antibodies get passed from the mother to the baby via the placenta and in breast milk, and provide protection against infections including measles. The WHO advises everyone should receive two doses of measles vaccination. In places where there's a lot of measles circulating, children are generally recommended to have the first dose at around nine months old. This is because it's expected maternal antibodies would have declined significantly in most infants by that age, leaving them vulnerable to infection. If maternal measles antibodies are still present, the vaccine is less likely to produce an immune response. Research has also shown a measles vaccine given at less than 8.5 months of age can result in an antibody response which declines more quickly. This might be due to interference with maternal antibodies, but researchers are still trying to understand the reasons for this. A second dose of the vaccine is usually given 6-9 months later. A second dose is important because about 10-15 per cent of children don't develop antibodies after the first vaccine. In settings where measles transmission is under better control, a first dose is recommended at 12 months of age. Vaccination at 12 months compared with nine months is considered to generate a stronger, longer-lasting immune response. In Australia, children are routinely given the measles-mumps- rubella ( MMR ) vaccine at 12 months and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV, with "varicella" being chickenpox) vaccine at 18 months. Babies at higher risk of catching the disease can also be given an additional early dose. In Australia, this is recommended for infants as young as six months when there's an outbreak or if they're travelling overseas to a high-risk setting. A new study looking at measles antibodies in babies A recent review looked at measles antibody data from babies under nine months old living in low- and middle-income countries. The review combined the results from 20 studies, including more than 8,000 babies. The researchers found that while 81 per cent of newborns had maternal antibodies to measles, only 30 per cent of babies aged four months had maternal antibodies. This study suggests maternal antibodies to measles decline much earlier than previously thought. It raises the question of whether the first dose of measles vaccine is given too late to maximise infants' protection, especially when there's a lot of measles around. Should we bring the measles vaccine forward in Australia? All of the data in this study comes from low- and middle-income countries, and might not reflect the situation in Australia where we have much higher vaccine coverage for measles, and very few cases. Australia's coverage for two doses of the MMR vaccine at age two is above 92 per cent. Although this is lower than the optimal 95 per cent, the overall risk of measles surging in Australia is relatively low. Nonetheless, there may be a case for broadening the age at which an early extra dose of the measles vaccine can be given to children at higher risk. In New Zealand, infants as young as four months can receive a measles vaccine before travelling to an endemic country. But the current routine immunisation schedule in Australia is unlikely to change. Adding an extra dose to the schedule would be costly and logistically difficult. Lowering the age for the first dose may have some advantages in certain settings, and doesn't pose any safety concerns, but further evidence would be required to support this change. In particular, research is needed to ensure it wouldn't negatively affect the longer-term protection that vaccination offers from measles. Making sure you're protected In the meantime, ensuring high levels of measles vaccine coverage with two doses is a global priority. People born after 1966 are recommended to have two doses of measles vaccine. This is because those born before the mid-1960s likely caught measles as children (when the vaccine was not yet available) and would therefore have natural immunity. If you're unsure about your vaccination status, you can check this through the Australian Immunisation Register . If you don't have a documented record, ask your doctor for advice. Catch-up vaccination is available under the National Immunisation Programme . (The Conversation) PY PY


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Heart Attacks Don't Warn You at 40 — They Strike. Are You Ready?
Turning 40 is often seen as a personal milestone, but it also marks a crucial phase for heart health. In India, heart disease is increasingly affecting individuals at a younger age, and crossing the 40-year threshold often signals a turning point in cardiovascular risk. At this stage, a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable factors converges to elevate the likelihood of heart-related complications. Dr. Manishankar Pandey MD(Medicine), DM( Cardiology) Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Quote: 'Heart disease is the leading silent killer for those over 40. Symptoms often go unnoticed until it's too late. Make your check-ups non-negotiable and your wellness a daily priority. Your heart isn't just pumping blood, it's powering your life.' Age: The Inevitable Risk Factor: Simply put, age itself is a non-modifiable risk enhancer. As we grow older, arteries tend to stiffen, and cumulative wear and tear on the cardiovascular system increases. Post-40, this aging process accelerates silently, often setting the stage for hypertension and atherosclerosis, even in individuals who appear healthy. Dr. Karandeep Singh SyalMBBS, MD(General Medicine),PGDDRM(UK), PGDC(UK),DM(Cardiology) Quote: 'Turning 40 is not a health decline-it;s a wake-up call. Your heart has been working hard for decades. Support it with healthy habits, manage stress, and never ignore signs like fatigue or chest discomfort. Prevention begins with awareness' Lifestyle Triggers: Diet, Smoking & Alcohol: An unhealthy diet rich in saturated fats, refined sugars, and sodium contributes directly to elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Urban Indians often rely on processed foods, leading to metabolic imbalance. Smoking, a well-known vascular toxin, reduces oxygen supply, raises blood pressure, and damages arterial lining. Regular or binge alcohol consumption can spike triglycerides and trigger arrhythmias—especially dangerous in the 40s when cardiac resilience is already declining. Dr. Vikram B Kolhari MBBS. MD, DM, Consultant Cardiology Quote: 'Indians develop heart disease nearly a decade earlier than Western populations. After 40, monitor cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure regularly. A sedentary lifestyle, high- carb diet, and stress only accelerate cardiovascular risk. Prevention starts with awareness and regular health checkups.' The Stress Epidemic: Chronic stress, increasingly common in this age group due to work-life pressures and financial responsibilities, raises cortisol and adrenaline levels, both of which increase heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term stress can also lead to emotional eating, substance abuse, and sleep disorders—all of which compound heart risks. Dr. Komal Pawar MBBS, MD(Medicine), DNB Cardiology Quote: 'Stress is a major trigger for heart attacks in Indians, especially men. Meditation, walking, or even gardening reduces cortisol levels and helps maintain heart rate variability-a key marker for cardiac health.' Hypertension and Diabetes: The Silent Killers By age 40, many Indians unknowingly develop hypertension or pre-diabetes, especially those with sedentary lifestyles or obesity. These conditions damage blood vessels over time, heightening the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. Dr. Pankaj M. Raut, MD(Medicine), DM( Cardiology), FACC(USA), FESC(Europe) Senior Consultant Cardiologist Quote: 'Metabolic syndrome, seen frequently in urban Indian adults post-40, significantly increases the risk of heart attacks. Waist size, fasting glucose, HDL, and triglycerides are crucial markers. Routine health checks can help manage these before complications set in.' Family History: Know Your Genetic Predisposition A family history of hypertension, diabetes, or early heart attacks significantly enhances cardiovascular risk. If a first-degree relative had a heart attack before age 55 (male) or 65 (female), you may be genetically predisposed. The Takeaway Turning 40 should prompt a proactive approach to heart health. Regular check-ups, early screening, a balanced lifestyle, and managing stress are non-negotiable. Heart disease may be influenced by age and genetics, but it can be effectively prevented through informed, timely action. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and ET Healthworld hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
The healing power of Acupuncture: How wellness centres are reviving an ancient science
In a world dominated by modern medicine, where pills and surgeries often come with side effects and uncertainties, there is a powerful revival of traditional healing methods. And one such therapy is Acupuncture, which is slowly becoming a part and parcel of holistic health. What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupoints or marma points. It is believed that these tiny needles do not just physically stimulate, but also regulate the energy when they hit the marma points. Acupuncture works by correcting the imbalances in the marma points and the 'QI' of the body. And surprisingly, very few people know that there are more than 360 acupoints across the body, each linked to specific organs and functions, and stimulating these points helps in opening up blocked energy pathways, balancing body systems, and restoring harmony. Acupuncture offerings by Patanjali Patanjali Wellness, under the guidance of Acharya Balkrishna and Swami Ramdev, has integrated acupuncture into its wide range of natural healing therapies. Patanjali's acupuncture therapy is offered as part of its larger wellness ecosystem that includes Ayurveda , Panchakarma, naturopathy, yoga, and physiotherapy. And at Patanjali, there are 5 major types of Acupuncture techniques in play - Cupping method that uses suction cups to draw out toxins and stimulate circulation, Ear Acupuncture, which focuses on the ear as a micro-system of the whole body, Electro-Acupuncture, which is a mix of traditional needling with mild electrical currents, Moxibustion, where a herbal stick is burned close to the skin to warm and energise acupoints, and Scalp Acupuncture, where specific zones on the scalp are targeted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Each of these techniques is designed to address specific health concerns while also improving overall well-being. Benefits of Acupuncture Acupuncture is more than just needles, pain, slight bloodletting, and traditional therapy. It is a practice that helps restore the body's inner energy and helps with better function. And while most people think that Acupuncture is just needles and pain, it also has analgesic effects, where, by stimulating the nervous system, it increases the body's natural painkillers like endorphins and enkephalins, providing relief from chronic pain, migraines, joint pain, and more. Plus, Acupuncture is also believed to benefit the central nervous system, reducing harmful brainwaves and helping restore a state of calm and balance. It also supports the immune system by improving energy flow and blood circulation, and helps to enhance white blood cell activity, increasing antibody production, and balancing immune responses. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change