GIZ BACKUP Health supports Uzbekistan’s State Health Insurance Fund in scaling up its drug reimbursement system — advancing universal health coverage and improving access to essential medicines.In June and September 2025, consultant Nataliia Hnatyuk provided targeted...
The experimental phase of generalized health insurance in the Comoros was launched in June 2025. This is a concrete step towards universal health coverage in the country. In June 2025, the pilot phase of generalized health insurance in the Comoros was agreed between...
Since 2016 there has been a national policy of free healthcare for mothers and children in Burkina Faso. The government returned the fairly positive results of evaluation missions of this policy in Ouagadougou in June 2025, with some recommendations to improve...
Vietnam’s Resolution 72 sets a roadmap to exempt basic hospital fees by 2030 through health insurance. Starting 2026, citizens get free annual check-ups and digital health records. Funded by the state and insurance, the reform reduces out-of-pocket costs, prioritizes...
Zimbabwe has finalised its National Health Insurance Bill, set for Cabinet approval and rollout by 2026. Funded through earmarked taxes, it guarantees full primary care coverage and scales up at higher levels, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure equitable,...
Italy experiences higher catastrophic health spending than many EU countries, predominantly affecting low-income, southern-region, and pensioner-headed households, driven by outpatient medicines and care for poorer groups and dental care for wealthier ones....
The report published by the NCD Alliance addresses one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, along with mental health conditions, now account for the majority of...
China’s 2009 health-care reform expanded Universal Health Coverage (UHC), but inequalities persist for internal migrants. Analysis of nearly one million migrants (2013–2018) showed high medical insurance enrollment (87.4%) and financial protection improvements, but...
A rural China policy waiving copayments for essential medicines in primary care (PC) significantly increased PC visits by 44% and outpatient spending at PC facilities by 40%. At the same time, outpatient hospital visits fell by 26%, though hospital spending and...
Nigeria plans to raise BHCPF funding from 1% to 2% of revenue and enroll 44M citizens in health insurance by 2030. With 70% out-of-pocket spending, govt seeks domestic funding, broader NHIA rollout, and state/private sector support to expand coverage and protect the...
Germany's statutory health insurance expenditure has consistently outpaced member contribution revenues by about 1% annually for nearly 25 years, necessitating further contribution rate increases unless policy changes occur. A proposed spending moratorium aims to...
Iran’s health system faces collapse as rising costs, insurer debts, and an aging population strain financing. Pharmacies warn of drug shortages within months, with 80% near bankruptcy. Families pay 70% of health costs, while workers lack coverage, leaving system...
In Burundi, the Carte d'Assistance Maladie has become compulsory for adults not already covered by other means. The cost is 3000 Burundian francs (US$ 1). Its success as a social protection measure depends on its implementation. In February 2025, the government of...
Financial protection is a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage, yet millions of households worldwide continue to face catastrophic or impoverishing health expenditures. Understanding who is most vulnerable is essential for designing equitable policies and...
Czechia exhibits lower catastrophic health spending than many EU countries, but the poorest quintile and older adults still face high out-of-pocket costs, primarily for outpatient medicines. Gaps in coverage—limited co-payment protections, inadequate adult corrective...
