Health leaders chart path to sustainable, inclusive financing across the Commonwealth
At their 2025 meeting in Geneva, Commonwealth health ministers committed to long-term, equitable health financing, with a strong focus on innovation, primary care and support for vulnerable nations.At the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva, leaders...
Jordan launches 2020–2022 health accounts and unveils reform roadmap
Jordan’s Health Ministry launches National Health Accounts and COVID-19 spending review, setting the stage for a new reform plan to strengthen health financing and expand universal health coverage.The Jordanian Ministry of Health has officially launched the National...
Irish Government publishes Path to UHC Programme 2025+
The new government administration in Ireland, elected at the end of 2024 recently published their plan for continuing on the path to UHC. In 2017, the ten-year Sláintecare health plan was launched. This plan update builds on findings from previous progress...
China never had free healthcare before its market reforms
The perception of a universal "free" medical care system in China's planned economy era is largely a myth, as most urban healthcare costs were covered by state employers while rural populations had almost no insurance or access to medical resources. Government surveys...
Philippines strengthens push for universal health care through UHC Act
The Philippines advances its Universal Health Care goals with automatic insurance for all citizens under PhilHealth, while tackling infrastructure and digital health challenges. The Philippine government is ramping up efforts to implement the Universal Health Care...
Panamanian Social Security reform includes unification of health care system
Panama initiated political dialogue on the reform of the social security system. The reform includes health and the unification of the Social Security Fund with the Ministry of Health. This will facilitate the financing of benefits, the purchase of joint medicines and...
Reforming Bangladesh health systems for the future
Bangladesh's health sector faces urgent challenges as it approaches the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in achieving Universal Health Coverage. The Health Sector Reform Commission Report 2025 proposes significant constitutional amendments and systemic...
Health insurance programme to be restructured amid effectiveness concerns
The Nepalese government plans to restructure the national health insurance program to improve its effectiveness and sustainability, emphasizing stricter enforcement of the Health Insurance Act and raising the benefit cap for insured individuals. With Rs 10 billion...
Caribbean & Central America knowledge exchange to reform health financing
Caribbean and Central American senior health officials met in Washington D.C. in June 2023 to discuss health financing and explore ways to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC). Country leaders, health officials, policymakers, experts, and...
Maldives, Thailand sign MoU on health; WHO lauds collaboration
The Maldives and Thailand signed a MoU to enhance cooperation in health care, focusing on strengthening primary health care in the Maldives and improving regulatory systems. The agreement encompasses areas such as training for health professionals, health policy...
Health insurance premiums in India now outpace national health budget
A surge in private insurance premiums has overtaken India’s public health budget, raising concerns over equity and access in the country’s shifting healthcare landscape.India’s healthcare financing is transforming, with individual health insurance premiums now...
Changes to Universal Health Care Law urged in Philippines
Senator Bong Go urged the swift approval of Senate Bill 2620 to amend the Universal Health Care Act. The bill includes provisions that reduce premium contributions for PhilHealth members, notably benefiting Filipino migrant workers by having the government cover half...
G20 urged to back health taxes on harmful products to combat global rise in chronic disease
To tackle the global rise in non-communicable diseases, researchers urge the G20 to support stronger health taxes on harmful products like sugary drinks, tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods.By 2030, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer,...
Nigeria To Strengthen Health Security Through New Accountability Framework
Stakeholders from government, civil society, and public health agencies gathered in Abuja to validate a health security accountability framework aimed at promoting responsible health financing and equitable vaccine access. Dr. Celestine Okorie of HERFON emphasized the...
Transforming primary health care in Indonesia: ThinkWell supports financing for bold health reform
ThinkWell is supporting the Government of Indonesia to improve how primary health care is financed and delivered through the Integrated Primary Health Care (ILP) reform.ThinkWell is working with the Government of Indonesia to support the design and implementation of...