"Gates Foundation Sets Record $8.6 Billion Budget Amid Global Health Funding Challenges"

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plans to allocate a record $8.6 billion in 2024, a 4% increase from last year, as global health funding for the lowest income countries stagnates post-COVID-19. Despite facing criticism, the foundation aims to address declining global health budgets and stagnant contributions to health in low-income countries. The increased budget will focus on innovation in healthcare, aiming to provide access to new technologies for vulnerable populations and prioritize tackling infectious disease threats and child mortality. Bill Gates emphasizes the importance of addressing health disparities and plans to showcase simple health products at the World Economic Forum, including vaccine patches and AI-enabled ultrasound tools.