Advocates push to end benefit cuts for hospitalised New Zealanders
New Zealanders facing long hospital stays risk financial stress due to a policy that cuts benefits after 13 weeks. Advocates call for reforms to support patients' needs. Rising healthcare costs add to the burden, prompting a public petition for changes to ensure...
Italy strengthens health-care rights for homeless people
Homeless individuals in Italy face significant health challenges due to poor access to care. A new law enacted in November 2024 aims to improve their access to general practitioners, addressing health inequities and ensuring their right to health care, while also...
WHO and partners back Uganda’s commitment to sustainable health financing for universal health coverage
Uganda’s government, facing reduced donor funding, convened a high-level dialogue to prioritize sustainable domestic health financing, emphasizing increased investment in primary care, efficiency, equity, and innovative funding mechanisms. The dialogue concluded with...
Revising SDG indicator 3.8.2: A new approach to measuring financial protection in health
SDG indicator 3.8.2 has been revised to better capture financial hardship from health costs, now measuring out-of-pocket spending over 40% of discretionary income to reflect poverty impact. SDG indicator 3.8.2 is designed to measure financial protection in health—an...
Belize Prime Minister announces nationwide Health Insurance rollout
The Prime Minister of Belize announces full National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout by the end of 2025. The NHI has been implemented in phases and now will reach the entire population with the goal of bringing affordable quality health care to all Belizeans.In May...
Vietnam charts path toward universal free healthcare by 2045
Vietnam's Health Ministry unveils a plan to eliminate healthcare fees, aiming for 100% insurance coverage and equitable access to services by 2045. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to make universal, free healthcare a reality by 2045. In...
How are infectious diseases driving health inequalities in England?
The UKHSA report reveals significant health inequalities in England linked to infectious diseases and environmental health hazards, with those in deprived areas nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized compared to their more affluent counterparts. Moving forward,...
Healthcare financing in Singapore: Interview with DPM Gan and Health Minister Ong
Singapore’s healthcare system balances government subsidies, individual savings, and insurance to ensure affordability and discourage overuse, rather than offering free healthcare funded entirely by taxpayers. Rising costs prompt ongoing efforts to expand capacity,...
Saving Australia’s universal healthcare system?
Australian healthcare is in a crisis where inadequate funding and a shortage of professionals have led to rising costs and difficulty accessing essential services. As the nation approaches elections, debates about the future of universal healthcare intensify,...
Ghana launches MahamaCares Trust Fund to support chronic disease care
Ghana launches MahamaCares Trust Fund to support chronic disease care, covering costs not included in NHIS and investing in infrastructure, training, and research for equitable healthcare access. President John Dramani Mahama has launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund,...
Underinsured? 75% in India have health policies below Rs 1 million cover
A recent study indicates that 75% of health insurance buyers in India have coverage of Rs 10 lakh or less, with many underestimating healthcare costs and a significant portion unaware of term insurance benefits. Despite an 18% growth in term insurance in FY24, a lack...
Budget allocation for Brazil’s Unified Health System to increase by 6.2% in 2025
Summary: Recent budget discussions in Brazil indicate that the allocation to the Unified Health System (SUS) will increase by 6.2% compared to 2024. The major areas for growth are for primary health care as well as for specialized care.Brazil’s Unified Health System...
Iran ready to boost co-op with Africa in health sector
At the third Iran-Africa Cooperation Summit, an Iranian official highlighted the potential for collaboration with African countries in various health sectors while encouraging partnerships with Iranian universities and medical institutions. President Masoud Pezeshkian...
Experts call for health taxes, double spending to reform Pakistan’s primary healthcare system
Experts have proposed comprehensive reforms to Pakistan’s primary healthcare system, advocating for health taxes, a shift to prepayment financing, and increased public health spending to improve access and reduce financial burdens on households. The symposium...
Botswana partners with Buffett Foundation to boost maternal healthcare and UHC
Botswana has announced a major new partnership with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation aimed at transforming the country's healthcare system, with a focus on maternal health, universal health coverage (UHC), and primary healthcare services. President Duma Boko...