“”We are experiencing the greatest disruption of global health funding in memory“Said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Dr. Tedros.
He warned that sudden withdrawal of funding endangers hard -to -say medical progress, including efforts to combat tropical diseases, which are now reappearing in certain regions.
“”It’s just the tip of the iceberg“He told journalists from the head office of Geneva.
Epidemics intensify
Since January, Angola has been facing its worst cholera epidemics in 20 years, with more than 17,000 cases and more than 550 deaths recorded so far.
Inadequate access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation feeds the epidemic.
While WHO and partners put a large -scale vaccination campaign in the field, one of their priorities is to lower the mortality rate, said Tedros.
In the midst of financing reductions, progress in the fight against neglected tropical diseases affecting more than a billion people, have a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most marginalized communities.
Reduced access
In many countries where insecurity is plagued by hospitals and hospitals are targeted, access to health care has been seriously reduced, Tedros continued.
On April 22, one of the largest public hospitals in Haiti, a university hospital in Mirebalais, was forced to close due to violence. In the capital Port-au-Prince, more than 40% of health establishments remain closed, he said.
Unnecessary death
Turning to the blockade of Gaza, he declared that the situation was “catastrophically bad”, the violence “leading to an influx of victims to a health system which is already on its knees”.
While essential drugs, trauma and medical supplies are exhausted, “People die from avoidable diseases while drugs are waiting on the border“Said Tedros.
Reiterating the UN call to a ceasefire, Tedros added that “peace is the best medication”.
