# Health aid cuts, rising debt demand smarter public spending 2026-08-07T15:09:20+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Hindu reports that global health aid is shrinking fast. The US cut foreign assistance by 67% in early 2025, with the UK, France, and Germany slashing 39%, 35%, and 12% respectively. Meanwhile, developing countries' public debt hit a record $31 trillion in 2024, squeezing budgets. The World Bank says health budgets in low- and middle-income countries are executed at only 85%-90%. In India, a parliamentary panel found just two-thirds of the flagship health infrastructure allocation was spent in 2024-25, and only 26% of National Health Mission funds for disease programmes were actually used. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: budget execution, development assistance, governance, health spending, India, public health Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/health-aid-cuts-rising-debt-demand-smarter-public-spending/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/health-aid-cuts-rising-debt-demand-smarter-public-spending/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.