London- The World Health Organization (WHO) has reduced its senior management team by half and is preparing to scale back operations following significant funding cuts, according to Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

This comes four months after the United States announced its decision to withdraw from the agency and cut funding. As per U.S. law, the country must give a one-year notice and settle all outstanding dues before leaving. These dues remain unpaid.

Speaking at a budget committee meeting ahead of the WHO’s annual assembly next week, Tedros stated, “To be blunt, we cannot do everything.”

The WHO is facing a proposed 21% cut in its budget for the 2026–2027 cycle, bringing it down to $4.2 billion. However, even this reduced budget is expected to be only 60% funded, assuming member states agree to increase their mandatory contributions.

To cope, the WHO has already implemented several efficiency measures, aiming to save $165 million this year. Structural changes include reducing the number of departments from 76 to 34 and cutting staffing costs by 25%—though this does not necessarily mean 25% of jobs will be lost. Tedros emphasized.

“Let’s be clear: reducing the scale of our workforce means reducing the scale and scope of our work.” As part of the cost-saving strategy, the organization will also close some offices in high-income countries. Additionally, the WHO is working with other global health organizations to strengthen collaboration amid the budget constraints. He said.

Changes in leadership structure include:

A new 7-member top management team (down from 14)

Dr. Jeremy Farrar, former Chief Scientist, will now serve as Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu will become Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme

Dr. Sylvie Briand has been appointed as Chief Scientist