Vietnam planning to implement the universal hospital fee exemption policy
Vietnam’s Resolution 72 sets a roadmap to exempt basic hospital fees by 2030 through health insurance. Starting 2026, citizens get free annual check-ups and digital health records. Funded by the state and insurance, the reform reduces out-of-pocket costs, prioritizes...
Cabinet set to review National Health Insurance Bill as Zimbabwe targets universal health coverage
Zimbabwe has finalised its National Health Insurance Bill, set for Cabinet approval and rollout by 2026. Funded through earmarked taxes, it guarantees full primary care coverage and scales up at higher levels, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure equitable,...
National Health Development Plan 2026-2030 validated in Benin
Benin's council of ministers on September 3, 2025 validated the national health development plan 2026-2030. It is planned to spend 1,000 billion FCFA on health during this period. In early September 2025, the Council of Ministers validated Benin's National Health...
Financing for NCDs in Trinidad and Tobago could be improved
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are placing an increasing burden on the health system in Trinidad and Tobago. While public budgets for combating NCDs have been on the rise, some argue that there could be changes in health financing to improve outcomes.This 2024...
Lecture calls for universally dignified and equal healthcare access for Africa
UCT’s Global Health Lecture featured Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN special rapporteur, who urged that universal health access in Africa must prioritize dignity, equity, and solidarity beyond clinics and budgets. She called on clinicians as rights defenders and on systems to...
GIZ, Amref & ADB Launch AI Learning for Health Insurance Reform
GIZ, Amref Health Africa, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are joining forces to unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for social health insurance. Together, they are developing an interactive e-Learning course designed to help policymakers and...
Addressing Issues in Canada’s Healthcare System
Canada’s universal healthcare is challenged by overcrowded hospitals, long waits, and preventable deaths. Business leader Op-ed argues Canada’s health system is failing, citing long waits, ER overcrowding, and calling for reforms to allow private options alongside...
Uzbekistan delegation completed study tour to Lithuania to advance health financing reforms
Uzbekistan’s health delegation visited Lithuania (Aug 18–22, 2025) to learn from its universal insurance model. The study tour shared lessons on governance, payments, and digital tools to guide upcoming reforms. Vilnius, Lithuania – 18–22 August 2025: A high-level...
Health insurance in Djibouti will cover over 40% of the population by the end of 2024
In his end-of-year speech, Djibouti's Minister of Labor announced that over 40% of the country's population would be covered by health insurance.During his year-end 2024 speech, Djibouti's Minister of Labor said that after 10 years of implementing health insurance in...
The financing of HRH in the health sector benefits from strategic documents in CAR
In May 2025, reform of the Central African Republic's healthcare system gathered pace. At a workshop attended by 100 people, several documents were drawn up to provide a framework for investment in human resources for health (HRH). As part of the drive to strengthen...
Value-based care seen as key to transforming Asia’s health systems
A new Actuary article highlights how value-based care could reshape healthcare in Asia, improving outcomes, lowering costs, and addressing challenges from ageing populations to rural gaps. Healthcare systems across Asia are under increasing strain from demographic...
Health taxes can save lives and strengthen Africa’s health systems
A new Think Global Health analysis argues that health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks could save lives, generate revenue, and strengthen Africa’s health systems.African governments face mounting health and fiscal pressures, and a new Think Global Health...
ADB Approves $106.9 Million to Strengthen Secondary Health Care Services in Sri Lanka
ADB approved $106.9M to boost Sri Lanka’s secondary care, disease control, and governance. A $100M loan and $6.9M grant will fund hospital upgrades, integrated referral systems, a disease control center, lab accreditation, digital procurement, and pharma logistics,...
Nigeria restates commitment to sustainable health financing, universal coverage
Nigeria boosted health spending from ₦434B (2018) to ₦2.4T (2024), now 5.18% of federal budget. New insurance reforms aim to enroll 4M citizens by 2030, reducing household health costs from 70%. Government targets universal coverage through innovative financing and...
Luxor’s universal health insurance system reaches over 90% of population
Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System in Luxor has enrolled over 90% of residents, with state support for low‑income citizens. Backed by digital systems, quality standards, and expanded services, it delivered 5.6M treatments in 2024/25, making Luxor a model of...