Bhutan Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Health Equity and Sustainability
Marking 25 years, Bhutan’s Health Trust Fund reaffirmed its role in financing free healthcare, having ensured Nu. 3.7B for drugs and vaccines. Despite sustainability challenges, it targets innovation, digital tools, and wider investments to secure resilience and...
Study links cash transfers to lower child mortality in Kenya
A decade-long study in Kenya found cash transfers reduced child deaths by nearly half. Results, reported by The New York Times, highlight new evidence on poverty reduction and health outcomes.A new study reported by The New York Times shows that unconditional cash...
Africa launches the ‘Accra Initiative’ to boost national health system resilience
The Accra Initiative, launched at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit on 5 August, sets a new framework for global health, prioritising resilience, equity, and sustainable financing while advancing Africa’s leadership in health governance. African leaders and...
Leaving agency head proposes ways to exit Estonia’s healthcare funding crisis
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deepening crisis as reserves run out by 2027. Outgoing chief Rain Laane warns efficiency measures can’t close deficits, urging greater state investment. A four-year plan targets stronger primary care, funding reform, and better...
Tajikistan moves closer to universal health coverage by testing groundbreaking reforms in Sughd region
Tajikistan’s UHC pilot in Sughd is testing health financing reforms to cut out-of-pocket costs, pool budgets, and expand primary care access. Backed by WHO, EU, and UHC-P, the initiative aims to reduce inequities, strengthen services, and lay the foundation for...
Private Hospitals Suspend Services for India’s Health Insurance Members, Leaving Millions Without Care
India’s flagship health insurance scheme, PM-JAY, is under strain as 650 Haryana hospitals suspend services over ₹490 crore unpaid dues, cutting off 18 million people. In J&K, limited hospitals and delayed payments worsen access gaps. Patients face debt, delays,...
Clearer guidance can add to progress in health financing in Vietnam
Vietnam has expanded health insurance to 94% of its population, with free care targeted by 2035. But out-of-pocket costs remain high at 40%. WHO’s Dr. Pratt stresses stronger financing, efficiency reforms, primary care, and innovation to achieve universal health...
Vietnam: Health insurance premiums lowered while maintain full coverage benefits
Vietnam’s Decree 188 keeps health insurance contributions at 4.5% of the basic salary, with scaled discounts for additional family members. The scheme covers 80% of medical costs, offering access to 2,400 drugs and 9,000 services, including treatment for cancer, heart...
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund running a deficit for at least 15 years
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deficit, rising healthcare costs, and criticism after lavish spending exposed governance gaps. Experts and officials urge reforms to improve efficiency, avoid worsening inequalities, and ensure sustainable financing without...
Stakeholders in Uganda call for innovative health financing mechanisms amid funding shifts
Uganda’s health sector faces funding gaps after donor cuts, forcing higher out-of-pocket costs and disrupting HIV, TB, and maternal health services. Stakeholders urge domestic financing, innovative taxes, and a national insurance scheme to protect vulnerable groups...
Insurance medicine: costs outpace revenues in Moldova
Moldova’s health insurance revenues rose 11.6% in the first seven months of 2025, driven by salary-based contributions reaching 5.4 bn lei. Spending also increased, with higher transfers for services and surgeries. The 2025 budget is projected to grow 13%, exceeding...
South Africa’s G20 Presidency Prioritizes UHC, PHC, and Civil Society Engagement
South Africa’s G20 presidency prioritises Universal Health Coverage and civil society engagement, highlighting financing, primary health care, and multilateral collaboration amid global health funding challenges.The G20 presidency is placing Universal Health Coverage...
1,114 hospitals de-empanelled, 1,504 penalised under Ayushman Bharat Insurance scheme in India
The government has de-empanelled 1,114 hospitals, fined 1,504 ₹122 crore, and suspended 549 for fraud under Ayushman Bharat. A strong anti-fraud system, grievance redressal mechanism, and stricter claims settlement timelines aim to protect beneficiaries and improve...
Liberia’s Performance-Based Financing Program conducts Financial Management Training for Health Facilities and County Health Teams from Seven Counties
Liberia’s Health Ministry trained seven counties on financial management under the PBF Program to boost accountability and service delivery. Officials stressed sustainability as donor funding declines, with the World Bank-backed training seen as vital for...
Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan explore cooperation in mandatory health insurance
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan health officials met in Baku to discuss the 2025–2028 Action Plan under their MoU. Uzbekistan seeks to learn from Azerbaijan’s success with mandatory health insurance, with sessions covering healthcare costs, IT, HR, financing, and...