By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE WORLD Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a sweeping restructuring of its global operations as it grapples with a projected salary gap of up to US$ 650 million for the 2026–27 biennium—largely triggered by the United States’ decision to halt its assessed contributions.
In a direct address to Member States, WHO leadership confirmed that the organisation would reduce its global workforce, slash senior management, and streamline departments at headquarters in Geneva from 76 to 34.
The number of senior leaders will shrink from twelve to seven.
The financial crisis was sparked by Washington’s formal intention to withdraw from the WHO, coupled with significant cuts to official development assistance by other donor nations.
WHO officials estimate the funding shortfall will account for nearly a quarter of the organisation’s staff costs in the coming biennium.
“These are very painful decisions for all of us,” the WHO said in an address to staff, describing the overhaul as unavoidable and urgent.
Under the revised organisational model, WHO headquarters will now operate under three technical pillars:
▪️Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control
▪️Health Systems
▪️Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
The Health Promotion division will integrate end-to-end services, from prevention to palliative care. The Health Systems unit will oversee traditional health infrastructure, and the Emergency division will be responsible for crisis preparedness and outbreak response.
These technical arms will be supported by two core offices: the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Business Operations and Compliance division.
The Director-General’s office will also manage accountability, governance, legal, and external relations. A decision on appointing a new Deputy Director-General remains pending.
Country and regional impact
Although all regional offices will undergo restructuring, the most pronounced impact is expected at headquarters.
The organisation confirmed it will also close several country offices in high- and upper-middle income nations that no longer require on-the-ground support.
However, WHO reiterated its commitment to strengthening country-level offices in lower-income regions.
A four-committee system—comprising reassignment, selection, transparency and review panels—will oversee the internal transition.
Staff will be matched to roles in the new structure through a mapping process, and support services will be made available for those affected, including mental health resources, pension advice, and a dedicated separation help desk.
Despite the looming budget hole, WHO credited Member States for their historic decision in 2022 to gradually increase assessed contributions to 50% of the overall budget.
That reform has already raised current biennium contributions to US$ 1.07 billion, compared to US$ 746 million without the increase—helping partially offset the loss from the US exit.
“We are US$ 320 million better off than we would have been without that decision,” WHO stated, calling the funding shift critical in insulating the organisation from external shocks.
If the next planned increase is approved, Member States’ contributions in 2026–27 are expected to exceed levels seen in 2022–23—even without the United States.
Several health ministers from developing countries told WHO they viewed the sudden aid cuts as a prompt to reduce reliance on foreign assistance and mobilise domestic resources.
WHO aims to support countries during this transition, ensuring continuity of health services during what it described as a “challenging period.”
The Organisation has asked Member States to refrain from assigning new mandates during the restructuring period, urging a collective focus on consolidating core functions.
While acknowledging the scale of change, WHO insisted the overhaul is not an end but a beginning.
“We believe this exercise will help WHO to emerge stronger and more empowered,” it concluded.
