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,...
Committee established to develop Universal Health Coverage roadmap in Saint Lucia
In 2022, Saint Lucia’s government took steps to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by creating a professional committee to determine strategic directions.With the aim of improving health systems and ensuring affordable, quality health care in Saint Lucia, in 2022...
PLFSS 2025: Thomas Fatôme details the financial challenges facing the French health insurance system
The Director General of the Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie presented the Social Security Financing Bill for 2025 to the French Senate: a slightly lower deficit (13.4 billion euros), and a national target for health insurance expenditure of +2.7%. Savings of...
Private health funds in Australia are gouging prices on insurance premiums despite warning from minister
Health Minister Mark Butler is urging an investigation into private health insurers for "product phoenixing," which involves closing existing policies and reopening similar ones at higher prices, thereby raising premiums without regulatory approval. Despite previous...
Cabinet approves universal health cover policy in Namibia
The cabinet has approved a universal health coverage policy to ensure all Namibians can access healthcare services without financial hardship. This initiative aligns with the country's Vision 2030 and aims to address existing challenges in healthcare access,...
World Bank Provides Additional Financing to Improve Primary Health Care Quality in the Kyrgyz Republic
The World Bank has approved $11.45 million in additional funding to support the Kyrgyz Republic's efforts to enhance primary health care services by improving diagnostic capacity and implementing IT systems within the ongoing Primary Health Care Quality Improvement...
Africa CDC’s strategic vision for sustainable health financing
A brief from the Center for Global Development, A New Era for Global Health: Can African Countries Agree a New Compact with External Donors?, highlights the urgent need for African countries to strengthen health financing systems amid growing donor uncertainty. Africa...
Navigating donor shifts without sacrificing gender equity in health financing
As donor funding declines, gender equity risks being sidelined in health financing. FAH urges governments to adopt gender-responsive strategies to protect women’s health and achieve universal coverage. As global health systems adapt to decreasing donor support, a blog...
New Uruguayan government analyzing changes in health financing
The undersecretary of the MSP of Uruguay reported that the government is analyzing changes in the financing of Fonasa and the calculation of capita. He also stressed the need to evaluate the economic and healthcare management of health institutions. In January 2025,...
Social Insurance Coverage for Informal Sector Workers in Viet Nam
Vietnam's voluntary social insurance program has significantly expanded over 30 years, reaching 2.311 million participants, but to meet the 2030 target of 60% coverage, further reforms are needed. The World Bank is collaborating with Vietnam Social Security to enhance...
Bad news about National Health Insurance in South Africa
Government spending on healthcare in South Africa has decreased significantly in recent years, with the National Health Insurance (NHI) plans facing challenges due to prioritization of debt servicing over essential services. In recent years, government spending on...
Unpacking the new co-pay rule in Thailand
The new co-payment rule, effective March 20 in Thailand, requires private health insurance policyholders to share a portion of medical expenses. It aims to manage rising healthcare costs and encourage responsible consumption. The upcoming co-payment rule is poised to...