This paper analyzes trends in provider fees, government spending on private out-of-hospital medical services, and out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients following policy changes aimed at reducing government expenditure. It highlights significant variations in...

Financing of the Colombian Health System during a period of reform
Colombia's healthcare system is still in the process of reform. The Ministry of Health indicates that the amounts granted to the capitation payment units in recent years have not been sufficient. It calls for clarification of payment modalities to EPSs for the coming...

Why So Many Cambodians Travel Abroad For Medical Care
The author highlights the challenges and misdiagnoses faced in the Cambodian healthcare system that push many to seek medical treatment abroad. It underscores the rising trend of medical tourism due to inadequate domestic options, the financial burden of healthcare,...
Gender bias in health financing methods: metrics and data
A new commentary published in BMJ Global Health by Kalipso Chalkidou and Richard Sullivan explores how commonly used economic methods and data in health financing may unintentionally reinforce gender bias. Drawing on findings from The Lancet Commission: Women, Power...

Countries strategize to sustain health coverage amid global health financing challenges
Global policymakers and partners convened to address health financing challenges, exploring strategies to sustain health services amid aid withdrawal and shaping a resilient, adaptive global health financing system. Last week, the Alliance for Health Policy and...
Public health in Germany: structures, dynamics, and ways forward
Germany faces challenges in public health despite its strong economy and social welfare system, with health indicators lagging behind other European nations. Key issues include the lack of a central public health authority, insufficient funding for prevention, and...
Sumar Program: an important contributor to UHC in Argentina over 20 years
As part of the Health Systems & Reform journal 2024 edition devoted to Objective-Oriented Health Systems Reform: Implications for Moving Towards Universal Health Coverage, Martin Sabignoso and colleagues look at the legacy of the Programa Sumar in Argentina. Their...

Mexico strengthens its healthcare system by integrating public health and medical care
In order to achieve universal access to health care, the Mexican government knows that public health is a key element of the health system. This way the attention to the population is done in a more efficient way, thus improving the quality of service and waiting...

Afghanistan’s new National Health Policy (2025–2030): a roadmap to a healthier future
The Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health and WHO launched the National Health Policy (NHP) 2025–2030 to provide quality health care access for all Afghans. The policy emphasizes governance, financing, and workforce development, aiming for a resilient health system...

Addressing Africa’s health financing gap: Insights from the AHAIC Conference
Experts at AHAIC 2025 emphasised domestic resource mobilisation, prevention, and public-private partnerships to close Africa’s health financing gap, with only $40 per capita for healthcare in many nations. At the Sixth Africa Health Agenda International Conference...

Changing global health landscape affects the Caribbean
The Caribbean countries, small island nations and the region in general must adapt to changing financing for global health. Increased South-South collaboration and enhancing regional cooperation are the future of resilient and sustainable Universal Health Coverage.The...

Malaysia’s healthcare system a ticking bomb
Malaysia's healthcare system is facing significant challenges due to a growing non-communicable disease epidemic, an ageing population, chronic underfunding, and a demoralised workforce, all of which threaten the quality and accessibility of care. Malaysia's...

Iran advances health equity by addressing the social determinants of health through PHC
MoH&ME in Iran, in collaboration with WHO, organized a workshop focused on integrating social determinants of health into primary health care to address health inequities in the country. The event brought together stakeholders to develop actionable strategies and...

Montreux Collaborative blog explores strategies for sustainable health financing
The Montreux Collaborative’s latest blog examines how low- and middle-income countries can navigate aid transitions and strengthen domestic health financing for long-term sustainability. The Montreux Collaborative has released a new blog, Precipitated aid transition...
Effect of universal health insurance implementation on beneficiaries’ evaluation of public health facilities in Egypt – a cross-sectional study
The study assessed the early impact of Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system, introduced in 2018, on beneficiaries’ perceptions of public healthcare facilities. Results showed that UHI beneficiaries reported significantly higher overall satisfaction and...
