This ODI research report, What can a ministry of finance do to improve health spending? explores how governments—particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries—can strengthen the efficiency and impact of health expenditure despite severe fiscal constraints....

Resource Creation and Allocation in the Transformation of Hungarian Healthcare Financing: Event Summary
The Hungarian conference on healthcare financing examined reforms in pharmaceutical policy, resource allocation, and digital transformation. Experts highlighted economic constraints, workforce shortages, and poor health outcomes. Key discussions included AI...

National Assembly Advances Dialogue on Sustainable Health Financing in Laos
The National Assembly of Laos held a workshop on financing primary health care and immunization with the Ministry of Health and partners. Participants addressed funding gaps, urged stronger coordination and budget reforms, and supported domestic financing of at least...

Financing, not technology, is now the missing piece in ending tuberculosis
Health ministers from Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa call for domestic financing and innovative funding models to close the gap in the global fight against tuberculosis.In a joint opinion published by Devex, the health ministers of Indonesia,...

Ghana boosts revenue and strengthens private partnerships to advance UHC
Ghana’s NHIA generated GH¢9.76 billion in 2025 after uncapping the health levy, enabling arrears clearance and GH¢1.5 billion payouts. Dr. Bampoe announced digital claims, new tariffs, and stronger private-sector partnerships to boost transparency, fairness, and...

Malaysian think tank renews call for health and social insurance, removal of sugar subsidies
The Galen Centre urges a national health and social insurance scheme with employer-employee contributions, removal of sugar subsidies, and scrapping of outpatient/specialist charges at public facilities to better fund health, aged care, and combat diabetes. The Galen...

Health taxes, an option for tackling Cameroon’s health budget deficit
Cameroonians are wondering whether health taxes could be part of the answer to tackling the challenge of the health budget deficit. These taxes can have a dual action, generating financial resources and reducing costly non-transmissible diseases. In September 2025,...
What’s next for sugar taxes?
As global rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases continue to rise, governments are increasingly turning to fiscal policies as tools for improving public health. Among the most debated and widely adopted measures are sugar taxes—levies designed...

Cabinet set to review National Health Insurance Bill as Zimbabwe targets universal health coverage
Zimbabwe has finalised its National Health Insurance Bill, set for Cabinet approval and rollout by 2026. Funded through earmarked taxes, it guarantees full primary care coverage and scales up at higher levels, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure equitable,...

Health taxes can save lives and strengthen Africa’s health systems
A new Think Global Health analysis argues that health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks could save lives, generate revenue, and strengthen Africa’s health systems.African governments face mounting health and fiscal pressures, and a new Think Global Health...

Germany Debates Who Should Cover the Costs of Unhealthy Eating
Obesity is straining Germany’s health system, costing up to €90B yearly. With half of adults overweight, politics remain divided: conservatives trust markets, while Greens push sugar taxes and VAT reform. Experts say real change needs political courage, not just...

Health taxes offer revenue potential and health gains, CGDev blog explains
Sanjeev Gupta and Joao Jalles highlight how health taxes can save lives, curb harmful consumption, and unlock vast untapped revenues for stronger, fairer health systemsA Center for Global Development blog by Sanjeev Gupta and Joao Jalles explores how health taxes can...

National Health Insurance launch set for June 2026 in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe plans to launch its National Health Insurance (NHI) in June 2026 to expand universal health coverage, funded through earmarked taxes. With only 13% covered by medical aid, the NHI will target the uninsured majority, aiming to cut out-of-pocket costs and...
Analysis of Capacity for Delivering Health Services for Noncommunicable Diseases in Dominica
Esta publicación del Banco Mundial de 2023 profundiza en la capacidad de prestación de servicios para las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) en la nación insular de Dominica, en el Caribe. Los aspectos financieros incluyen la financiación de los recursos humanos para...

Stakeholders in Uganda call for innovative health financing mechanisms amid funding shifts
Uganda’s health sector faces funding gaps after donor cuts, forcing higher out-of-pocket costs and disrupting HIV, TB, and maternal health services. Stakeholders urge domestic financing, innovative taxes, and a national insurance scheme to protect vulnerable groups...
