The European Observatory has published Belgium's health systems summary based on the 2020 Belgium Health System Review with significant updates on data, policy and reforms. Belgium's healthcare system is of high quality, yet challenges persist in antibiotic and...

April issue of socialprotection.org newsletter highlights Integrating health and social protection policies
Socialprotection.org has released its latest newsletter, focusing on the critical integration of health and social protection policies. It highlights the intersection of healthcare access, poverty reduction, and inequality mitigation.Key Highlights: Podcast Series:...
Investing in health: Navigating financing challenges of the post-COVID world
Despite fiscal constraints and shifting priorities, investing in health, through initiatives like the upcoming Health Financing Forum, is valuable for strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage in a post-COVID world says this blog published...

Health insurance agency holds weekly meetings to resolve insurance-related disputes
The emergency meeting of the Health Insurance Department is held every Tuesday of the week to discuss current issues related to health insurance at the management level, assign tasks to relevant departments, and make quick decisions. The Health Insurance General...

ILO toolkit on social health protection
The ILO recently launched a Toolkit on Social Health Protection, emphasising universal access to affordable, quality healthcare and financial protection during illness, injury, and maternity.Rooted in a rights-based approach, the toolkit provides practitioners and...

State Health Insurance Fund is monitoring insurance implementation in Syrdarya – first pilot region
In 2023, the State Health Insurance Fund established a working group to ensure compliance with state health insurance requirements in Syrdarya's medical institutions. The region introduced a system for providing free care based on family doctor referrals, organizing...

Harvard Symposium: Reimagining Financing and Governance for Global Health
The 2024 HGHI Global Health Symposium explores how cross-sector partnerships can revolutionize financing and governance for a healthier world.The Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) is set to host a panel discussion on "Reimagining Financing and Governance for...
Comparison of health spending in France and Germany
The report by IRDES examines healthcare expenditures in France and Germany, two countries with similar spending levels (over 12% of GDP) despite having distinct healthcare systems. Germany: Pioneered social health insurance, offering universal coverage through a...

Health equity in Ireland
The implementation of the government of Ireland’s 10 year health reform (SlainteCare) moves the country towards universal, single-tiered healthcare, where patients are treated on medical need rather than ability to pay.In 2022, public funds covered 77% of total...
Germany: Act to Accelerate the Digitization of Health Care 2024
The law aims to promote the adoption of digital applications and to improve the use of available health data for both care and research purposes. The Digital Act is intended to accelerate the introduction of binding standards and foster the use of digital solutions in...

EU, Africa partner on stronger health systems and social protection
The European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) launched four new initiatives to improve health systems and social protection in Africa. These initiatives are part of the EU's Global Gateway investment strategy.Three health-focused initiatives aim to: Strengthen health...

JLA programme of CSO advocacy for health financing
Advancing CSO Advocacy for Health Financing Consolidating Progress and Shaping the Future of JLA on Health Financing and UHC led by WACI Health, Impact Santé Afrique (ISA) and others is to be held on 26-27 March.Civil society organizations (CSOs) across Africa are...
Poland’s National Health Program 2021-2025
The Ministry of Health of Poland published the National Health Program (NHP) which serves as a strategic public health document and provides the foundation for actions in this domain. As stipulated in Article 9 of the Public Health Act of September 11, 2015, the...

Lithuanians’ social health protection improved in 2024 with expanded benefits from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund
Starting next year, patients will benefit from faster access to healthcare services, while healthcare professionals will experience a reduced administrative workload and an increase in salaries. These reforms are also aimed at improving the availability of essential...

State health insurance will be impemented nationwide by 2027
The State Health Insurance Fund of Uzbekistan announced that state health insurance will be implemented nationwide by 2027. Preparations for introducing state health insurance mechanisms have already begun in several regions. Since the beginning of 2023, the Fund has...