Purchasing primary care services for quality chronic care: Capitation with performance payments in four countries
Published in The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, the open-access short communication “Purchasing Primary Care Services for Quality Chronic Care: Capitation With Performance Payments in Four Countries” examines how provider payment reforms can...
Will Jamaica’s National Health Fund be transformed into a national insurance scheme?
The Minister for Health in Jamaica hints that the National Health Fund may be changed to a national insurance scheme. This evolution was proposed in the 2019 Green Paper on the subject.In August 2023, Dr Tufton (Jamaican Minister for Health) suggested that, in an...
What Kenya should do to address healthcare funding challenges
The recent suspension of US foreign assistance poses a significant threat to Kenya's health sector, jeopardizing access to vital services. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for Kenya to enhance its healthcare resilience.The recent suspension of...
Bulgaria’s new policy: Free medication for children to combat health disparities
Bulgaria's parliament has approved free medication for children under seven, aiming to reduce hospitalisations and financial strain. Experts also call for free flu vaccinations to further improve child health. The Bulgarian parliament has approved a new law providing...
Protective role of health insurance coverage in reducing under-five mortality in Ethiopia: Gompertz inverse-Gaussian shared frailty modelling
This study found a significant association between health insurance coverage and under-five mortality, revealing that children of uninsured mothers had a notably higher risk of mortality. Specifically, 96.46% of the children assessed were born to mothers without...
Update on Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the effectiveness of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme in reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) by saving over ₹1.25 lakh crore and significantly increasing government health spending, which rose from 29.0% to 48.0% between...
Thailand to launch Climate Fund to accelerate low-carbon economy
Thailand is in the process of establishing a Climate Fund to provide loans and financial support for greenhouse gas reduction, climate change adaptation, research and innovation, and related initiatives. Thailand’s Climate Change Act is intended to support the...
Over 90% of China’s village clinics covered by basic medical insurance
Over 90% of village clinics in China are covered by basic medical insurance, with the government investing in upgrades and aiming to enhance grassroots healthcare by 2027 through integration and the use of artificial intelligence. More than 90% of village clinics in...
Use of PhilHealth’s excess funds legal, economically sound
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto defended the transfer of PHP 89.9 billion in excess funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury, asserting that it is legal, moral, and necessary to address the growing needs of the nation, while ensuring that no member contributions...
Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?
The NHS is facing significant pressures, prompting the new government to develop a 10-year reform plan aimed at enhancing its future viability. While previous long-term plans have shown mixed implementation results influenced by political and financial contexts, this...
European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies report on investing in long-term care
'The Care Dividend' urges public investment in long-term care, showing its benefits for health, economies, and households as populations age. Published by the Observatory and Cambridge University Press. A book published by the European Observatory on Health Systems...
Turning nutrition pledges into action: World Bank course promotes nutrition-responsive budgeting
The World Bank promotes nutrition-responsive budgeting to turn commitments into action, recognising nutrition as a key social determinant of health. A free course offers tools to support this approach. Adequate nutrition is more than just access to food—it is a...
State Life builds digital, service capacity to expand universal health benefits to entire Pakistan
The State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) is committed to providing universal health insurance coverage to 180 million citizens. By offering comprehensive health services and integrating performance-linked funding, SLIC aims to enhance healthcare access...
Countries in the Americas establish network to strengthen national health fund management
Countries in the Americas launched REFSA to strengthen cooperation on managing national health funds, with PAHO’s support, aiming for more efficient, transparent, and equitable health systems. Representatives from national health funds in Brazil, Chile, Colombia,...
Africa’s health financing in a new era: Concept paper
Africa is facing significant challenges in health financing, with a projected 70% decline in external aid between 2021 and 2025, alongside a rise in public health emergencies. In response, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has...