The World Health Organization’s efforts to help countries strengthen health data systems won't be successful without flexible financing to its budget for the next two years, said Imre Hollo, director of strategic planning and budget at the agency.
“Unless there is a fundamental change in the amount of sustainable financing, it will be very difficult to realistically suggest strengthening the data and science functions in that revised program budget,“ he said at the World Health Assembly on Thursday, adding that it is difficult to fundraise for this type of programming from donors.
A large portion of WHO’s financing comes in the form of earmarked funding. For example, only 8% of its funding for its global COVID-19 response is flexible, down from 30% last year.