Situation Analysis by WHO: Primary Health Care Financing in Ukraine
On 16 October 2023, WHO issued a report titled "Primary health care financing in Ukraine: a situation analysis and policy considerations". As reported by WHO-Europe, this report delves into the current state of primary health care (PHC) financing in Ukraine and...
Effects of cash transfers on tuberculosis outcomes by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors
A recent study published in Nature Medicine titled "Effects of conditional cash transfers on tuberculosis incidence and mortality according to race, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort" explores the impact of Brazil's Bolsa Família...
PhilHealth Zero Subsidy: Reflection of Government Neglect
The decision to completely cut the government subsidy for PhilHealth has sparked criticism, as the agency faces scrutiny over its significant reserve funds while many Filipinos struggle with rising healthcare costs. With the subsidy elimination, PhilHealth will rely...
Brazil exempts taxes on ultra-processed food
Brazil’s exemption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from a selective tax risks worsening non-communicable diseases. Evidence links UPFs to chronic illnesses, highlighting the need for stronger fiscal measures. The Lancet reports that Brazil's decision to exclude...
Trends in the financialisation of outpatient care
This paper summarises the findings of research into the financialisation of outpatient care across OECD countries. While financialisation was reported to be a concern by a majority of responding countries, how financialisation is taking place also varies depending on...
IMF blog on rethinking health financing
IMF blog highlights fragmented health financing and inadequate domestic spending in low-income countries. They call for integrated health systems, better donor coordination, and increased domestic funding to achieve universal health coverage. In their recent blog for...
Assessing budget credibility on routine immunisation service delivery in East Java
The International Budget Partnership and UNICEF, in collaboration with the Institute for Economic and Social Research University of Indonesia, have published the report "Assessing Budget Credibility on Routine Immunisation Service Delivery in East Java, Indonesia" by...
Evolving arena of adopting innovative digital technologies to enhance health financing systems
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) explores the transformative potential of digital technologies in strengthening health financing systems in its report, Evolving Arena of Adopting Innovative Digital Technologies to Enhance Health Financing Systems. Achieving universal...
Health Financing Progress Matrix Assessment, Jordan 2024
This report presents the findings of the Health Financing Progress Matrix assessment for Jordan, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of its health financing policies in relation to global standards. It identifies key priorities, such as addressing fragmentation...
Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector
The German parliament has approved a law to restructure the healthcare system, reducing the number of hospitals, expanding clinics, and streamlining bureaucracy through digitalization. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach described the reform as a "revolution."Germany's...
Role of social protection in reducing the burden of public health and social measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
The World Health Organization’s report highlights the pivotal role of social protection in mitigating the socioeconomic impacts of public health and social measures (PHSM) during COVID-19. Drawing insights from 316 studies across 123 countries, it explores how...
Spain invests additional €1 billion into health insurance of 1.5 million civil servants
The Spanish government has announced a €1 billion increase in funding to sustain the Muface healthcare scheme, which provides coverage for over 1.5 million civil servants and their families. This decision comes after private insurers, including Adeslas, Asisa, and...
Moldova received 2nd phase grant from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to improve health financing
Switzerland supports Moldova’s efforts to achieve better health of the population, through ensuring universal access to affordable medical services of good quality. In its 2nd (exit) phase that will end in June 2027, Moldova will receive a grant of over CHF 3.3...
To what extent did households in developing countries forgo needed healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic? Repeated survey estimates from 25 countries in 2020 and 2021
The research article "To what extent did households in developing countries forgo needed healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic? Repeated survey estimates from 25 countries in 2020 and 2021," authored by Jakub Kakietek, Julia Dayton Eberwein, Amanda Kerr, and...
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...