The Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Healthcare (IECS) endorses a letter recently published in The Lancet in support of the key role played by the World Health Organization (WHO) in global public health. The document was signed by the directors of nearly 800 WHO Collaborating Centers worldwide, who express their concern about the consequences of budget cuts in international health.
Access the full letter at The Lancet
The letter warns that reducing funding for health programs could seriously affect the continuity of essential services, especially in emergency contexts. It also emphasizes that these cuts do not represent real savings, but could have a much greater long-term economic and social impact.
“The idea that reducing public health budgets can generate savings is misguided and has significant long-term consequences,” the report states. “Reduced support for critical programs can translate into a greater burden of disease, lower productivity, increased care costs, and greater vulnerability to uncontrolled outbreaks.”
The statement also highlights the WHO's historic contribution to eradicating diseases, managing health crises, and strengthening health systems around the world. Despite current financial challenges, the Organization continues to support countries in their transition to sustainable financing models.
Among the signatories is Prof. Dr. Andrés Pichon-Riviere, Director General of IECS and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre at our institution, who signed the letter on behalf of IECS.
From the IECS—one of the 11 PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers in Argentina—we renew our commitment to international cooperation, the generation of scientific evidence, and the strengthening of public health policies.