The study examines the development and spatio-temporal evolution of China's multi-level medical insurance system (MMIS) from 2011 to 2020, highlighting improvements in the coupling coordination index (CCI) which rose from a moderate disorder to a well-coordinated...

Egypt on right track to build universal health insurance system to its people
The French Development Agency (AFD) has applauded Egypt's progress in its universal health insurance system, which now serves nearly 5 million beneficiaries across six governorates, highlighting significant improvements in care quality and healthcare governance. Since...

Austrian Medical Chamber Unveils Ten-Point Plan for ÖGK Reform
The Austrian Medical Chamber has proposed a ten-point reform plan to address the ÖGK’s significant financial challenges, emphasizing the need to improve healthcare services rather than cutting them, as projected deficits exceed one billion euros. The Austrian Medical...
Government purchase of private health services in the Eastern Mediterranean region: opportunities and challenges for stewarding towards a universal health coverage focus
As countries across the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) increasingly rely on private providers to deliver health services, governments face growing pressure to ensure these purchasing arrangements align with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. This article,...

Renewing New Zealand’s Primary Care System
The report "The Heart of Healthcare: Renewing New Zealand's Primary Care System" highlights the economic benefits of investing in general practice, showing potential cost savings and improved patient care compared to emergency department visits.The report "The Heart...

Ministry of Health and Stakeholders Discuss Financial Sustainability of Liberia’s Healthcare System
The Ministry of Health in Liberia has launched a workshop to assess the financial sustainability of the health system, focusing on the Liberia Health Equity Fund and the Liberia Social Health Insurance Scheme, with insights from various stakeholders on the need for...

Turkish Social Security Institution’s healthcare spending surged by 77 pct in 2024
In 2024, Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK) experienced a 77% increase in healthcare expenditures. The report also highlighted limited oversight, with only a small number of hospitals audited and investigations into thousands of individuals suspected of...
Sustainable and gender equitable capacity building for health financing in Africa
Across nine African countries, a Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) assessment reveals critical gaps in the health financing workforce. These challenges stem from systemic issues in training and institutional structures. As global funding shifts and domestic...

Will Jamaica’s National Health Fund be transformed into a national insurance scheme?
The Minister for Health in Jamaica hints that the National Health Fund may be changed to a national insurance scheme. This evolution was proposed in the 2019 Green Paper on the subject.In August 2023, Dr Tufton (Jamaican Minister for Health) suggested that, in an...

Bulgaria’s new policy: Free medication for children to combat health disparities
Bulgaria's parliament has approved free medication for children under seven, aiming to reduce hospitalisations and financial strain. Experts also call for free flu vaccinations to further improve child health. The Bulgarian parliament has approved a new law providing...

Use of PhilHealth’s excess funds legal, economically sound
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto defended the transfer of PHP 89.9 billion in excess funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury, asserting that it is legal, moral, and necessary to address the growing needs of the nation, while ensuring that no member contributions...

Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?
The NHS is facing significant pressures, prompting the new government to develop a 10-year reform plan aimed at enhancing its future viability. While previous long-term plans have shown mixed implementation results influenced by political and financial contexts, this...

Countries in the Americas establish network to strengthen national health fund management
Countries in the Americas launched REFSA to strengthen cooperation on managing national health funds, with PAHO’s support, aiming for more efficient, transparent, and equitable health systems. Representatives from national health funds in Brazil, Chile, Colombia,...

World Bank Provides Additional Financing to Improve Primary Health Care Quality in the Kyrgyz Republic
The World Bank has approved $11.45 million in additional funding to support the Kyrgyz Republic's efforts to enhance primary health care services by improving diagnostic capacity and implementing IT systems within the ongoing Primary Health Care Quality Improvement...

New Uruguayan government analyzing changes in health financing
The undersecretary of the MSP of Uruguay reported that the government is analyzing changes in the financing of Fonasa and the calculation of capita. He also stressed the need to evaluate the economic and healthcare management of health institutions. In January 2025,...