WHA passes resolution to reform health financing for universal health coverage
The World Health Assembly has approved a Nigeria-led resolution urging stronger domestic health financing and reduced out-of-pocket costs to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) has adopted a landmark resolution...
IX and X Andean Forum on Health and Economics – Proceedings
These reports summarize the objective of the Andean Health and Economy Forum in general, as well as the previous meetings. In more detail, it describes the ninth and tenth forums. The 119-page document includes both the speeches and the work at the dialogue tables.
Brazil to increase specialized care by strengthening public-private relations
Brazil’s Ministry of Health announces initiatives to strengthen provision of specialized care by strengthening public-private relations in the health sector.The Brazilian Ministry of Health announced in May 2025, a series of initiatives to promote the availability of...
Forgone Care of doctor’s visits in Germany – Results from three cross-sectional surveys
A study analyzing data from German representative surveys found that 21% of participants reported forgone care in the past year, with higher rates in women and younger adults. The main barriers to accessing care were categorized as systemic, psychological, and...
Estimating Health Expenditure in the Dominican Republic 2007-2021 Using the SHA Approach 2011
Based on data available from the Dominican Republic's health accounts, Magdalena Rathe of Fundación Plenitud analyzes the country's health spending between 2007 and 2021. Using the 2007 and 2018 national income and expenditure surveys, a triangulation was made with...
Tax systems and policy: Crucial for good health and good governance
The policy brief “Tax Systems and Policy: Crucial for Good Health and Good Governance”, published by the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) in May 2025, reframes taxation as a central pillar of equitable and sustainable...
Reproductive health financing in Uganda: results from the national health account study, 2019–2021
Uganda has made significant strides in its journey to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing the health and survival of women and children during pregnancy, childbirth, and adolescence. This effort began in 2013 with the development of the first...
Budget cap threatens years of Nepal’s healthcare gains
In the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, Nepal will not initiate any new healthcare programs due to budget cuts, raising concerns about the sustainability of vital public health achievements, particularly in areas like maternal and child health. Officials from the...
Economic burden and determinants among hospitalized patients with epilepsy in Thailand
This study analyzes the direct medical costs of hospitalized epilepsy patients in Thailand. These costs are assessed from both a societal perspective—which includes hospital expenditures and payments made by health insurance schemes—and a patient perspective, which...
Smoke economics: lessons from tobacco ban for e-cigarette regulation in Bhutan
E-cigarettes and Vaping is a growing public health concern among adolescents in Bhutan. Despite a history of stringent tobacco regulations, the rise in vaping and related health issues indicates a need to update laws and impose higher taxes to discourage their use....
Enhancing efficiency of healthcare financing
Achieving UHC requires a variety of financing strategies, including government revenue to support those unable to afford care. It involves coordinating these funding mechanisms to create a sustainable health system that serves the needs of all citizens, particularly...
The Unified Health System has 8 million affiliates
The public health insurance system in Bolivia, known as the Unified Health System (SUS), has reached 8 million members. Coverage is provided at all health levels, from primary to hospital care. In Bolivia there is the Unified Health System (SUS), the state program...
Rare diseases in France: a subject taken very seriously
France's 7000 rare diseases affect more than 3 million people. France is a pioneer in Europe in implementing a national plan for rare diseases. They are reimbursed up to 100% by the French Assurance Maladie. [ba_gradient_heading title="What is a rare disease?"...
Nigeria’s FEC approves health financing policy through Medipool
The Federal Executive Council of Nigeria approved the establishment of Medipool, a purchasing organization designed to lower healthcare costs by negotiating competitive prices for essential medicines and healthcare products, thereby improving access to quality...
Fact Sheets – Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s health sector has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades, marked by expanded access to primary health care, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and notable progress in the control of major communicable diseases. Guided by a...