Public financial management (PFM) in a pandemic: What can the experiences of Bangladesh and Indonesia during their COVID-19 response teach us about the importance of PFM?
Shamima Akhter (ThinkWell Bangladesh), Anooj Pattnaik (ThinkWell), Callum Pierce (ThinkWell), Afroja Yesmin (ThinkWell Bangladesh), Pak Trihono (ThinkWell Indonesia) In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Helal, the manager of a busy health facility in...
South Sudan secures US$ 174.2 million to address the COVID-19 pandemic
On 30th March, 2021, South Sudan received US$ 174.2 million to help finance the country’s urgent balance of payments needs and provide critical fiscal space to maintain poverty-reducing and growth-enhancing spending. A sharp decline in international oil prices...
South Sudan implements a road map to introduce and institutionalize national health accounts (NHA)
In South Sudan, the Ministry of Health (MoH) with support from other international partners in 2017, commenced the implementation of a road map to introduce and institutionalize the NHA. The NHA is a framework for consistent tracking of resource flows within the...
South Sudan-Strengthening primary health care (PHC) in fragile settings
South Sudan gained independence in 2011, and in recent years the government has been working to transition from a focus on humanitarian relief to longer-term development of the health sector, as reflected in the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2017–2022. The HSSP...
The Republic of Korea’s Coronavirus Disease Pandemic Response and Health System Preparedness (September 2021)
ADB’s report, the Republic of Korea’s Coronavirus Disease Pandemic Response and Health System Preparedness, comprehensively covers several aspects that were crucial to the success of the ROK, such as effective resource mobilization, coordination, and timely social...
All About Korea’s Response to COVID-19 (October 2020)
The "All About Korea's Response to COVID-19" booklet provides an interim overview of Korea's COVID-19 response efforts up to September 2020 in various areas including: - Epidemic response system - Testing, tracing, and treatment - Entry screening measures - Social...
Discussion for public consensus begins to introduce sickness benefits in Korea
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Kwon Deok-chul) announced on 15 April 2021 the establishment of the “Sickness Benefits System Planning Advisory Committee” (hereinafter referred to as the “Advisory Committee”) and held the first meeting. Except for...
P4H members ILO and WHO met to discuss social health protection in Ethiopia
In August, representatives from WHO and ILO met to discuss their work to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen social health protection in Ethiopia. The ILO team gave an overview of the PROSPECTS project, a new Partnership on Inclusive Jobs and...
COVID-19: Maldives begins administering second vaccine dose to children
Maldives has started inoculation of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among children age between 12 and 17 years in September. Maldives has vaccinated the COVID-19 vaccine to students in this age group since August 15. Over 40,000 school students will...
8.5 million COVID test kits to be distributed for free across Thailand from/09/16
Thailand will distribute 8.5 million COVID rapid antigen test kits (ATK) to the public for free, starting from September 16 onwards. The public can receive the ATKs from health offices across nation, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics that participate in the ATK...
Bhutan to achieve herd immunity by first week of October
Bhutan will reach herd immunity by early October. Currently, over 80 percent of the total population has been fully vaccinated. In addition, the second dose of vaccine will be inoculated to approximately 60,000 children age between 12- and 17-year during September 14...
Malaysia 2022 budget targets post-pandemic recovery and reforms
Malaysia’s Budget 2022 will be drafted with an inclusive approach to ensure ‘no one lefts behind’ from receiving government assistance. Budget 2022 will mainly focus on protecting and restore the lives and livelihoods of the people and businesses, rebuild national...
Timor-Leste to compensate Covid vaccine-hit patients
Timor-Leste plans to provide compensation to people who receive adverse reactions or fatalities from Covid-19 vaccine, aiming to encourage the population to get the vaccination due to a rise of new cases and deaths. A patient who experiences a rare case of disability...
Japan plans for fiscal year 2022 total 111 trillion yen to control COVID-19
Due to a rise of social security expenditures, budget requests from government ministries and agencies reach 111 trillion yen ($1 trillion) in total for fiscal 2022. Social security costs accounted for one-third of government expenditures. The health ministry...
Nepal budget 2021/22 revised: 6 highlights you should know
Nepal amends annual budget plan 2021/22. Following the revisions, an additional Rs 5 billion has been allocated for Covid-19 vaccine purchasing. For social security provisions, there have been added two new allowances: Rs 3,000 per month for families...