In 2002, the Moroccan government approved and passed the Moroccan Health Coverage Code. The social development policy advocated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI aims to improve health standards (one of the essential components of this policy) and contribute to the...

The Unfulfilled Promises of Narendra Modi’s Ayushman Bharat, the World’s Largest Health Scheme
Ayushman Bharat has faced criticism for its inadequate funding, low hospital bed availability, and insufficient support for the most marginalized communities. Despite government claims of success, many beneficiaries experience high out-of-pocket expenses and financial...
Financing healthcare services: a qualitative assessment of private health insurance schemes in Ghana
The study evaluates the operations and performance of Private Health Insurance Schemes (PHIS) in Ghana, highlighting their diverse benefit packages and flexible payment structures that enhance healthcare access and quality. It emphasizes the need for PHIS to establish...

Pathways to solving Nigeria’s out-of-pocket healthcare emergency crisis
Nigeria faces severe public healthcare challenges, with over 90% of the population relying on out-of-pocket payments, leading to substantial financial hardship and high rates of preventable illnesses and deaths. Despite the establishment of the National Health...

Training workshop on measuring financial protection for Universal Health Coverage held in Nepal
The Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) in Nepal, with support from WHO, held a three-day workshop on financial protection for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) from February 17-19, involving various health officials and development partners. The Ministry of Health...
What contributes to out-of-pocket health expenditure in Cambodia’s uncovered population?
Out-of-pocket health expenditures (OOPE) in Cambodia significantly contribute to financial hardship for households engaged in informal employment, with healthcare factors being the largest drivers of these costs. The study suggests that the Cambodian government should...

Social security for gig workers: to be included in PMJAY
The Indian government is developing a social security scheme for gig workers, which will require them to contribute 1% to 2% of their daily earnings and provide benefits like provident funds and pensions. This initiative aims to support the growing gig workforce by...

Indonesia launches $183 million free health screening program
Indonesia has introduced a nationwide free health screening program to prevent early deaths, allocating 3 trillion rupiah ($183 million) to the initiative that aims to screen 100M people in 2025. Indonesia has launched its largest-ever health screening program,...

Stop TB’s global drug facility announces significant price reductions and new drug-sensitivity tests
The Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility announces a 54% price reduction for bedaquiline and introduces new drug-sensitivity tests, improving access to essential TB treatments and saving millions. In a major move to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB),...
Financing for NCDs and Mental Health: Making the Money Work Better – Policy Brief
This World Bank policy brief explores strategies to improve financing for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health services amid rising demand and constrained health budgets. Despite increasing healthcare needs, government spending remains insufficient,...

Sustainable financing for health
Sustainable health financing in Nepal is crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), yet the country struggles to meet the WHO's recommendation of allocating at least 5 percent of its GDP to healthcare, primarily relying on high out-of-pocket payments....
Prices, availability, and affordability of adult medicines in 54 low-income and middle-income countries
Published in The Lancet Global Health, the study by Lachlan Oldfield, Jonathan Penm, Ardalan Mirzaei, and Rebekah Moles examines the prices, availability, and affordability of essential medicines in 54 low- and middle-income countries. Using a secondary analysis based...
Multidimensional vulnerability and financial risk protection in health in contexts of protracted conflict: Evidence from the Occupied Palestinian Territory
This paper, published in PLOS One authored by Julia Hatamyar, Sally Shayeb, Akseer Hussain, Weeam Hammoudeh, Sumit Mazumdar, and Rodrigo Moreno-Serra, explores the relationship between multidimensional vulnerability and financial risk protection (FRP) in health within...
Catastrophic health expenditure associated with non-inpatient costs among middle-aged and older individuals in China
The primary social health insurance schemes in China, UEMIS and URRMS, mainly cover non-inpatient expenditures, neglecting costs associated with outpatient care and medications. A study found that over 60% of participants used non-inpatient services recently, with...
Fostering inclusion: Advancing social health protection for persons with disabilities in Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam
Advancing disability-inclusive social protection is essential for achieving universal access to social health protection, which fosters social inclusion and economic participation for persons with disabilities. A holistic approach is needed to ensure that social...