WHO Warns US Funding Cuts Threaten Global Efforts To Fight Tuberculosis

ABC News (3/6, Kekatos) reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this week that significant funding cuts, particularly from the United States, could negatively impact the global fight against tuberculosis (TB). The US has historically contributed between $200 million and $250 million annually, making it the largest bilateral donor. President Trump in January ordered a freeze on foreign aid and last week canceled humanitarian contracts worth approximately $60 billion, affecting TB programs in at least 18 countries. WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme Director Dr. Tereza Kasaeva stated that “any disruption to TB services” could have fatal consequences. The Stop TB Partnership said in an updated report, “While some mitigation measures are being explored, the long-term impact on TB care efforts could be severe if funding is not restored promptly.”