Non-communicable diseases: a growing burden in Barbados
One of the ongoing challenges to the health system and its financing in Barbados, is the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. In this Government of Barbados press release, the Minister of State from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael...
Tackling health and climate change in Tuvalu
At the Second Asia Pacific Health Financing Forum in 2024, Pelesala Kaleia, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Tuvalu, highlighted the visible impacts of climate change on the health of the people in Tuvalu. She emphasized the emergence...
Rising out-of-pocket health expenditure in Bangladesh
The Health Economics Unit of the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Bangladesh reports that out-of-pocket health expenditure in the country has been on the rise, reaching around 69 per cent in 2020. This has...
Africa health agenda international conference (AHAIC) 2025
6th Edition of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference will be held on 2-5 March 2025 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda to address leading health challenges in the continent.The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) will return in...
The President of Kazakhstan questioned value for money in healthcare amid increased health spending in his annual address to the People of Kazakhstan
On September 2, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to strengthen public health and reform social health protection. He highlighted the 3.3 trillion tenge healthcare budget but questioned its effectiveness, calling for a unified state medical...
KEMRI Wellcome Trust webinar explores Kenya’s health financing and transition to SHIF
The upcoming Kemri Wellcome Trust webinar will explore Kenya's health financing system, the shift to the Social Health Insurance Fund, and its implications for the country's health policy and funding. The KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme is set to host an...
Insurance for Migrant Workers from South and Southeast Asia
The authors discuss the important topic of healthcare access for migrant workers, who face numerous health challenges when working abroad. Migrant workers often lack access to healthcare or the means to pay for it, leading to significant barriers such as cost, lack of...
Health ministry proposes to enhance insurance coverage for cancer and stroke
The Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MoH) has unveiled new amendments on the Law on Health Insuranc to provide full coverage for patients diagnosed with rare or serious conditions, including cancer, stroke and paralysis. According to Vietnam News, the Vietnam's Ministry...
European Inverstment Bank is lending €107 million to build a new hospital (Hospital de Lisboa Oriental)
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €107 million loan to finance the Hospital de Lisboa Oriental as its first loan to build a hospital in Portugal. This financing will enable access to modern health services and a better distribution of beds throughout the...
Discussion of sustainable health financing in Estonia by the board member of its Health Insurance Fund
Long-term economic forecasts by the Ministry of Finance suggest the revenues of the Health Insurance Fund of Estonia will grow by about 3.2% per year, but the expenses will have to increase by 5% per year in 2023–2040 to sustain the current level of access to care....
Mpox challenges Gavi’s new pandemic fund
Gavi's $2.5 billion Day Zero Financing Facility is being tested by the mpox outbreak, highlighting the need for timely vaccine access and better pandemic preparedness. Gavi's new US$2.5 billion Day Zero Financing Facility is facing its first challenge as mpox has...
The projected lower social tax collection will significantly reduce the 2025 budget of the Health Fund
The Health Fund projects a €210M deficit for 2025, with €21M in planned savings. Covering the remaining €188.9M requires additional state funding or reserve use, which needs a legislative amendment. The final budget proposal will be submitted to the Riigikogu by the...
More than 20 000 cancer patients will receive state-paid drug therapy worth 74 mln euros
State funding for oncology drugs has risen from €57M in 2022 to over €74M in 2024, benefiting 18,000 patients. Minister of Health Khosam Abu Meri prioritizes drug accessibility, with a new action plan increasing compensation and expanding individual reimbursement...
Belgium’s support for social health protection in sub-saharan Africa: A case study
Belgium is supporting social health protection in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Senegal, by establishing insurance systems that aim to improve healthcare access for informal sector workers even in challenging low-income settings.Belgium, through its development...
Member State Session on Revising SDG UHC Indicators 3.8.1 & 3.8.2
WHO reviews proposed revisions to SDG UHC indicators 3.8.1 & 3.8.2, potentially altering a decade of financial protection data. On 21 August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) organised an information session for Member States to discuss the revision of...