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...
Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the EU4Health programme to benefit from EU funding opportunities
The European Commission and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement associating Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU4Health programme. This will enhance the country's health system’s capacity to respond to immediate health needs of...
An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina
European Union's Council of Europe posted the following legal analysis report on its page dedicated to Social Security Coordination and Social Security Reforms: Document title: “An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Entity, Brcko District...
Austria’s Federal Law will enact “digital before outpatient before inpatient” principle for health financing sustainability
Federal Law "Vereinbarungsumsetzungsgesetz" (VUG) 2024 introduced changes to 13 laws to reform healthcare and to create the legal framework for the revision of planning. The bill aims to strengthen the private practice sector, expand digital services, support health...
Hospital reforms in place in Germany
Germany's hospital reform aims to improve financial stability and ensure high-quality inpatient care across the country. Set to be implemented in stages starting January 1, 2025, the reform focuses on meeting patients' needs while reducing bureaucratic burdens and...
Five-year tenure advances health financing policy in Mozambique
The five-year appointment of a P4H country focal person as health financing adviser to the Ministry of Health of Mozambique yielded multiple contributions. Complex relationships were deepened, and common cause was forged across sectors around shared interests and...
Development partner influence on domestic health financing contributions in Senegal: a mixed-methods case study
This study examines how development partners influence domestic health financing in Senegal, which is essential for achieving UHC. Researchers identified four main mechanisms of influence: setting standards, lobbying, providing policy advice, and offering financing....
The State program “Health of the people and demographic security” for 2021-2025 of the Republic of Belarus
By Resolution No. 28 of the Council of Ministers dated January 19, 2021, the State Program "Public Health and Demographic Security" for 2021-2025 was approved. Its goal is to create conditions for improving the health of the population, covering all stages of life,...
Bulgarian court’s suspension of financial limits on care volume will worsen the budget deficit
On Friday, 13 September, the Supreme Administrative Court finally suspended all financial limits on treatment for Bulgarian patients. This will increase the budget deficit faced by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is now obliged to pay hospitals even if...
Health Insurance Law of North Macedonia
Based on Article 75, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, the President of the Republic of Macedonia and the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia approved the Law on Health Insurance through Decree on promulgation of...
WHO and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia assessed barriers to care in rural areas
WHO and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia published a report that assessed barriers to care in North Macedonia, focusing in rural areas and small urban settlements. In the overview of the report, WHO stated: This study, conducted in North Macedonia, explored...