Discussion of sustainable health financing in Estonia by the board member of its Health Insurance Fund
Long-term economic forecasts by the Ministry of Finance suggest the revenues of the Health Insurance Fund of Estonia will grow by about 3.2% per year, but the expenses will have to increase by 5% per year in 2023–2040 to sustain the current level of access to care....
Mpox challenges Gavi’s new pandemic fund
Gavi's $2.5 billion Day Zero Financing Facility is being tested by the mpox outbreak, highlighting the need for timely vaccine access and better pandemic preparedness. Gavi's new US$2.5 billion Day Zero Financing Facility is facing its first challenge as mpox has...
The projected lower social tax collection will significantly reduce the 2025 budget of the Health Fund
The Health Fund projects a €210M deficit for 2025, with €21M in planned savings. Covering the remaining €188.9M requires additional state funding or reserve use, which needs a legislative amendment. The final budget proposal will be submitted to the Riigikogu by the...
More than 20 000 cancer patients will receive state-paid drug therapy worth 74 mln euros
State funding for oncology drugs has risen from €57M in 2022 to over €74M in 2024, benefiting 18,000 patients. Minister of Health Khosam Abu Meri prioritizes drug accessibility, with a new action plan increasing compensation and expanding individual reimbursement...
Belgium’s support for social health protection in sub-saharan Africa: A case study
Belgium is supporting social health protection in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Senegal, by establishing insurance systems that aim to improve healthcare access for informal sector workers even in challenging low-income settings.Belgium, through its development...
Member State Session on Revising SDG UHC Indicators 3.8.1 & 3.8.2
WHO reviews proposed revisions to SDG UHC indicators 3.8.1 & 3.8.2, potentially altering a decade of financial protection data. On 21 August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) organised an information session for Member States to discuss the revision of...
R4D strengthens health policy and systems research ecosystem in Asia
R4D's Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator is enhancing health policy and systems research (HPSR) in Asia by building a stronger ecosystem to translate evidence into policy action. R4D, through the Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator, is working to empower...
A flourishing social security system in Monaco
Monaco enjoys particularly advantageous social protection thanks to the Caisse de Compensation des Services Sociaux (CCSS), financed entirely by employers. This scheme, inspired by the French social security model, was introduced after the Second World War, in 1944....
Joint SDG Fund: Social health protection in Albania and Cambodia
Albania and Cambodia are advancing social health protection and employment initiatives through joint programmes supported by the Joint SDG Fund, with a focus on fostering inclusion and universal health coverage.In Cambodia, the Joint SDG Fund is driving key reforms to...
Extension of free health care in Burkina Faso
The Minister of Health, Robert Jean-Claude Lucien Kargougou, announced on Monday August 12, 2024 that in addition to pregnant women and children under five, treatment for serious accidents, chronic and severe illnesses will be free in Burkina Faso by 2025. " In...
Workshop on the collective action initiatives as part of the implementation of UHC
From August 21 to 22, 2024, a workshop was held to assess the Collective Action Initiatives (CAI) in Cameroon as part of the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The conclave brought together members of the L4UHC group in Mbankomo in the Centre region....
Bujumbura International Mutualist Conference: February 3-4, 2025
The Bujumbura International Mutualist Conference will be held on February 3 and 4, 2025. A number of experts will be meeting to discuss the theme: "Objective of universal health and social protection in Africa - Relying on mutuals as key players in the social and...
African Union, Gavi, and Japan strengthen partnership for health security and UHC in Africa
In a significant move toward bolstering health security in Africa, the African Union, Gavi, and Japan have committed to deepening their collaboration to address Africa’s most urgent health priorities. At a thematic event during the 2024 Tokyo International Conference...
Latvian healthcare workers’ union demands healthcare financing to be increased in 2025
The Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers (LHRSW) plans to send an open letter to the government urging an increase in healthcare funding for 2025, said leader Valdis Keris. Latvia’s healthcare spending lags behind the EU average (7.7% of GDP), with...
The National Health Insurance Fund will be able to protect patients’ interests more effectively
Seimas approved amendments to the Health Insurance Law, merging the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and five territorial funds into a single entity from July 1, 2025. The NHIF Director will also gain authority to impose minimum sanctions on medical...