Results are presented on the budgetary performance of the health sector in 8 countries. This document can serve as a guide for other countries in the region to improve financial management in the health sector, allowing for a more effective and efficient response to...

ILO report reveals significant social protection funding gap for low-income countries
The ILO report reveals a massive US$1.4 trillion funding gap needed for universal social protection in low- and middle-income countries, with low-income nations facing the most severe challenges. A new International Labour Organization (ILO) working paper, "Financing...
Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems
This report provides an overview of health systems in the Pacific region, focusing on three countries: the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Republic of Vanuatu across seven health systems domains.The Pacific Islands Countries and...
Health and health system impacts of China’s comprehensive primary healthcare reforms: a systematic review
Since 2009, China implemented the primary health care (PHC) reform, with the overarching goal of providing accessible, efficient, equitable and high-quality healthcare services. This systematic review aims to examine the impacts of China’s PHC reforms on the health...
Guidance on social protection for people affected by tuberculosis
WHO publication highlights the essential role of integrated social protection strategies in reducing TB incidence, improving treatment outcomes, and addressing the socioeconomic impacts of the disease.The publication serves as a comprehensive manual designed to...
Act on Public Health Insurance in Czech Republic
The Act regulates public health insurance, the scope and conditions under which medical services are covered, the method of determining prices and reimbursement of medicinal products by health insurance, and the method of determining the payment of medical devices...
The Health Service Act of Denmark 2024
The Health Service Act No. 247 of 12 March 2024 (LBK nr 1015 dated 05/09/2024) is the main law in Denmark known as "Bekendtgørelse af sundhedsloven" that determines health services provision, including benefits within the public health insurance in Denmark. This Act...
Converging global health agendas and universal health coverage: financing whole-of-government action through UHC+
Achieving health-related SDG targets requires addressing social, political, and economic determinants of health, which account for 40-60% of health outcomes, compared to 10-25% from clinical medicine. UN member states have committed to achieving universal health...
Redefining Debt-to-Health, a triple-win health financing instrument in global health
The BMC Globalization and Health article evaluates the Debt-to-Health initiative and offers recommendations to improve its effectiveness in converting debt repayments into health investments for indebted low- and middle-income countries. The research article...

Refining primary health care financing in Ukraine: examining provider costs and impact of war
WHO/Europe released two reports highlighting the need to adjust primary health care (PHC) provider payments in Ukraine to better meet population needs and address the war's impact. The report "Results of costing for provider payments in PHC" offers a cost analysis to...

African region launches its first health workforce investment charter
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa and partner organizations launched the region’s first-ever health investment charter that aims to align and drive sustainable investment in the health workforce.The Charter aims to halve the region's 6.1 million...

Strengthening PHC Financing through Ministries of Health and Finance collaboration
Botswana's Interministerial Meeting held on 15-18 April 2024, supported by PROPEL Health and AERC, prioritizes primary healthcare (PHC) financing for Universal Health Coverage, fostering collaboration for sustainable health systems. The Botswana Interministerial...

Consultation for International dialogue on sustainable financing for NCDs and mental health begins
WHO and the World Bank are collaborating to organise the second International dialogue on sustainable financing for NCDs and mental health on 20–21 June 2024. To prepare for this, they are taking feedback through a consultation period from 1 May to 26 May 2024.To...

Canada launches dental care plan for uninsured citizens
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a new initiative from the Liberal government designed to provide dental care insurance to uninsured Canadians with a household income of less than $90,000.Officially launched in May, the program aims to cover up to nine million...
Rethinking health financing beyong GDP
Research article published in PLOS Global Public Health advocates for moving away from using GDP and GNI as proxies for measuring overall well-being and eligibility for external aid in health. The authors emphasise the need for robust alternative measures in global...