Oman: New Social Security Law a step in the right direction
Oman recently introduced a new social protection law that aims to establish a universal social security system, according to Human Rights Watch. This law is poised to enhance the socioeconomic rights of Omani nationals and residents, particularly migrant workers...
Qatar Affirms Commitment to Promote, Protect Elderly Rights
The State of Qatar reiterated its dedication to promoting and protecting the rights of the elderly during the 12th session of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. Najat Daham Al-Abdullah, Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of...
Norwegian government boosts funding for hospitals in 2025 to reduce waiting times
The Norwegian government reports it is increasing funding for the hospital sector in the state budget for 2025 by NOK 5.5 billion compared to 2024. The closest comparable increase took plance in 2008. The proposal will help hospitals to cover the increase in costs as...
Moldova ratified a €36,2 mln loan from the World Bank to improve access to rehabilitation care
Moldova will receive a €36.2 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The authorities will spend this money on improving the quality and increasing the availability of rehabilitation services in public medical institutions in...
World Bank releases reports highlighting critical challenges in health expenditure
World Bank reports reveal health spending declines in low-income nations, risking SDG targets. Calls for increased, efficient investments to secure global health goals. The World Bank has unveiled two crucial reports on health spending trends as countries strive to...
Armenia is postponing universal health insurance introduction due to insufficient funding
The introduction of Universal Health Insurance (UHI) in Armenia is not going to happen in 2025. On November 1, 2024, Armenian Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan said in the Parliament the draft state budget of Armenia for 2025 does not contain funding for UHI...
New mechanism for the purchase of medicines and medical supplies in Mexico
This new contracting model will improve efficiency, transparency and the supply of medicines and supplies needed in the health sector.The President of the Republic emphasized that the New Model of Consolidated Procurement of Medicines and Medical Supplies in Mexico...
ECLAC and PAHO call for prioritization of health investment in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called on the countries of the region not to postpone investments in health. The publication highlights the...
Albanian public expenditure on health in 2025 is planned to be 5% higher than in 2024
The draft budget for 2025, presented by the Health and Social Protection Minister of Albania, is 5% higher for 2025, reaching 103 billion and 375 million ALL. The budget for the Ministry of Health will comprise 9.8% of the general expenses.In 2025, the Ministry of...
Towards the CSU: Lessons from Tunisia, prospects for Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire
On November 14, 2023, a webinar will be held entitled: "CSU: lessons learned from the Tunisian journey - Regards croisés du Sénégal et de la Côte d'Ivoire." This virtual meeting provides an opportunity to explore a benchmark in the field of social health protection,...
Universal health insurance: Government to inject $30 billion by 2025
More than 1,500 people have received their provisional registration cards and certificates for the universal health insurance scheme. Twelve structures have been affiliated and 199,112 have been pre-registered. This was announced by the Minister in charge of of social...
Strengthening health financing reform capacity in Pakistan
In 2024, an estimated 11 million Pakistanis, or 4.4% of the population, are projected to face impoverishment due to out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. To combat this trend and advance universal health coverage, increasing government health spending is essential....
Congress approves Law on Free and Voluntary Access to Vaccinations
The Vaccination Law was approved by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala through Decree 25-2024, guaranteeing access to immunization against different diseases.The objective of the Vaccination Law is to guarantee protection against immuno-preventable diseases...
Government announced funding for drugs against three types of cancer
Drugs for the treatment of head and neck, ovarian and cervical cancer will be included in the free coverage of the National Resources Fund.The incorporation of new drugs to the benefits of the National Resources Fund was announced. The authorities of the Ministry of...
Hungarian hospitals beat an alarm on rising debt
Hospitals in Hungary are sounding alarm as rising debts restrict operations. Past due debt of hospitals reached €300 million in March 2024, caused by the lack of financing reform, amortisation, and rising energy prices, while inflation rates, wage increases, and...