This PowerPoint presentation from the 13th Caribbean Conference on Health Financing in Anguilla, in November 2019 covers progress in the development of the universal health plan for Kitts and Nevis. Much of the content is related to the planned national health...

The social insurance regulations for foreign workers in Vietnam
From 1 July 2025, foreign nationals in Vietnam on labour contracts of at least 12 months must join compulsory social insurance, unless exempt. They get the same benefits as locals. Contributions total 25% of salary: 8% by the worker and 17% by the employer, split...
Administrative perspectives on the implementation and sustainability of state-supported health insurance schemes in Nigeria
This study explored administrative stakeholders’ perspectives on Nigeria’s state-supported health insurance schemes (SSHIS) across six states. While the schemes improved health indices, infrastructure, equity, and financing, they face challenges including low...

NHI Implementation in South Africa: Key Risks and Challenges
South Africa’s NHI aims for universal healthcare but risks higher costs, reduced access, overburdened public hospitals, provider exits, rising lawsuits, and costly transitions. Without viable alternatives, it could destabilise both public and private healthcare...

Malaysia’s basic affordable health insurance scheme concept to be completed by December 2025, with rollout targeted for end-2026
Malaysia plans to launch a basic Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) product by end-2026, ensuring affordability and long-term sustainability. Buying will be voluntary, with EPF Account 2 savings likely allowed via the i-Lindung facility once the policy design...

German Chancellor Merz announces massive cuts to social welfare benefits
Germany expedites cuts to social welfare, pensions, and healthcare to cover military spending, deepening poverty for workers and pensioners while sparing the wealthy. Rising deficits fuel class tensions, prompting calls for socialist reorganization.Germany is moving...

Philippine healthcare: Families drowning in out-of-pocket expenses
Out-of-pocket health spending in the Philippines hit ₱615B in 2024, 42.7% of total healthcare costs, exposing families to debt as government schemes lag behind rising expenses. Experts urge reforms and new financing tools like sin taxes to ease the unsustainable...

Bulgarian drug procurement bill blocked, defying EU infringement process
Bulgaria faces EU sanctions as private hospitals, exempt from public procurement, overcharge for medicines. Reformers’ attempts to reintroduce tenders are blocked by political resistance and lobbying, costing the state millions annually and breaching EU rules.Since...
Sustainability starts with spending: public financial management lessons from Kenya’s universal health care pilot
This study explored how public financial management (PFM) processes influenced the implementation of Kenya’s 2019 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) pilot in four counties through qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that while a hybrid...
July 14, 1994 – Law on coordinated compulsory health and indemnity insurance from July 14, 1994
The Coordinated Compulsory Health Care Insurance Act was published in Belgium in July 1994. It is the annex to the Royal Decree of July 14, 1994 coordinating the law on compulsory health care insurance in Belgium, and constitutes the basic text organizing compulsory...
Catastrophic health expenditure and household impoverishment in Togo
This peer review journal article published in 2023 analyses catastrophic health expenditures and effects on household impoverishment in Togo. Since 2015, Togo has been committed to working towards ensuring access to quality health care without its citizens incurring...
Providing financial protection in health for low-income populations: a comparison of health financing designs in East Asia
This study compared health financing schemes for low-income populations across six East Asian societies, analyzing eligibility, coverage, and benefits. Results showed Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea provide stronger financial protection, while mainland China lags...
Less is more: consumers’ preferences for value-based insurance design in Switzerland
This study used a discrete choice experiment in Switzerland to examine consumer preferences for value-based insurance design (VBID). Findings showed a strong status quo bias and resistance to higher cost-sharing or limiting low-value care, with preferences varying by...

One in five women in WHO Southeast Asia region covered under health insurance
In WHO Southeast Asia, only 1 in 5 women and 1 in 4 men have health insurance, with major gaps due to cultural, economic, and systemic factors. Tailored policies, stronger financing, and community education are needed to boost coverage and achieve Universal Health...
Strategies for improving migrant health in Iran: a realist review
This realist review of 67 studies identified 27 strategies to enhance migrant health in Iran, focusing on trust-building through intersectoral governance, inclusive insurance to reduce financial barriers, cultural competency to improve accessibility, and community or...