This study examines recent health financing reforms in Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia through a political economy lens. The objective is to understand whether and how crises can be leveraged to advance universal health coverage (UHC) and to analyse the strategies used...
Political economy analysis of primary health care-oriented reforms: a case study on contracting district health systems for primary care services in Thailand
In Thailand, primary health care (PHC) is the first point of access to health services for all Thai citizens within the district health system. This case study investigates the political economy factors that have influenced Thailand’s decades-long implementation of...
Catastrophic health expenditure associated with non-inpatient costs among middle-aged and older individuals in China
The primary social health insurance schemes in China, UEMIS and URRMS, mainly cover non-inpatient expenditures, neglecting costs associated with outpatient care and medications. A study found that over 60% of participants used non-inpatient services recently, with...
The current situation of health equity in underserved areas of Afghanistan
Providing universal health coverage (UHC) in Afghanistan faces challenges due to the country's geographic topography and gender dynamics. A significant number of primary healthcare facilities are unevenly distributed, leaving nearly 25% of the population underserved,...
Financial Protection Outcomes in Four East Asian Countries During COVID-19: Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia
This paper analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and financial protection in four East Asia and Pacific (EAP) countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. It highlights a general improvement in service coverage in...
The political economy of national health insurance schemes: evidence from Zambia
Governments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly considering national health insurance schemes (NHIS) to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). This article examines the political economy surrounding the establishment of Zambia's NHIS in 2018,...
South Korea’s healthcare expenditure: a comprehensive study of public and private spending across health conditions, demographics, and payer types (2011–2020)
South Korea's healthcare expenditure rose significantly from $45.6 billion in 2011 to $76.9 billion in 2020, accounting for 9.3% of GDP. Despite universal health coverage, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses remain high, particularly for women and the elderly. Public...
Who pays to treat malaria and how much? Analysis of the cost of illness, equity and economic burden of malaria in Uganda
Case management of malaria in Africa has significantly progressed over the past two decades, necessitating updated cost estimates for effective malaria control policies. In Uganda, a costing exercise revealed that the mean societal economic cost for treating suspected...
The other health care system in Germany: care for people without health insurance
A study identified 128 institutions in Germany providing healthcare to uninsured individuals. The care offered was varied and often reliant on private donations, with specialties including general medicine, gynecology, and psychiatry, but overall access was uneven and...
Patient’s willingness to pay for improved community health insurance in Tanzania
This study investigates the factors influencing patients' willingness to pay (WTP) for medication and an improved Community Health Insurance Fund (iCHF) in Tanzania, conducted across various healthcare facilities. Findings indicate that most patients are willing to...
Determinants of out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines among adults in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
This study examined out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on medications among adults in Saudi Arabia using data from the 2018 Family Health Survey. The average OOP expenditure was estimated at 279.69 Saudi Riyals. Key determinants of OOP spending included age, household...
Development partner influence on domestic health financing contributions in Senegal: a mixed-methods case study
This study examines how development partners influence domestic health financing in Senegal, which is essential for achieving UHC. Researchers identified four main mechanisms of influence: setting standards, lobbying, providing policy advice, and offering financing....
Assessing Root Causes and Solutions to Address Cross-Programmatic Inefficiencies in a Subnational Health System: A Case Study of Anambra State, Nigeria
Cross-programmatic inefficiencies in Anambra's health system arise from governance and financing issues, including duplicative roles, misaligned donor priorities, and weak budget implementation. Addressing these root causes could enhance the overall efficiency and...
Does Provider Autonomy Work Well in Tanzania?
The study examines primary care facility autonomy in executing Direct Facility Financing (DFF) in Tanzania. While facilities possess financial management knowledge and some autonomy, challenges like fund disbursement delays and procurement complexities hinder...
Health Reforms in Pursuit of Universal Health Coverage: Lessons from Kenyan Bureaucrats
Two members of Kenya's technical teams reflect on the progress made toward universal health coverage during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term, highlighting the importance of timely decision-making and balancing technical and political pressures. They offer three...