South Africa’s NHI aims for universal healthcare but risks higher costs, reduced access, overburdened public hospitals, provider exits, rising lawsuits, and costly transitions. Without viable alternatives, it could destabilise both public and private healthcare...
Belgium’s summer agreement reforms healthcare by limiting excessive doctor surcharges, ensuring fair billing and equal reimbursements, curbing pharmaceutical overspending, and promoting sustainable care while preserving provider autonomy. This marks a historic step...
Ethiopia’s excise tax reforms on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks showcase political and multisectoral leadership, generating revenue and reducing NCDs while advancing Universal Health Coverage and health system resilience.Ethiopia is emerging as a leader in health...
Bulgaria’s National Assembly amended the Health Insurance Act to add a second NHIF deputy governor for better management amid growing fund deficits. Controversy arose over reinstating spending limits on medical care, with critics warning of financial strain on...
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, supported by the WHO, held a high-level dialogue on the draft bill to establish the Sierra Leone Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SLAUHC), aiming to unify and streamline national health financing through integration of the Free...
Croatia expanded health insurance exemptions, raised sickness benefits, reformed healthcare staff rules by abolishing internships, tightened misconduct standards, and passed a law requiring a master’s degree for speech therapists, with two years to comply. The...
Ghana approved the MahamaCares Fund to support chronic disease patients outside NHIS coverage, funded by levies and contributions. Despite delays and political concerns over funding and branding, it aims to ease care costs. Further talks with Finance will address...
The following extract, written in German and translated into English using Google Translate, from the website of AOK, the German public health insurance provider, provides some details about the Statutory Health Insurance Modernization Act of 2003. With the GKV...
The following extract from the CESifo Dice Report: Journal for Institutional Comparisons describes the Social Health Insurance Pro Competition Act of 2007. On 1 April 2007 an act became effective which will radically change the German system of health care: the...
The 2025 partnership between Al-Ahli Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and other private providers is reshaping Qatar’s healthcare sector by enabling public-private collaboration to reduce wait times and improve equitable access, in alignment with Vision...
Morocco has passed major reforms to unify its basic health insurance system under the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to healthcare as part of King Mohammed VI’s broader vision for universal social...
Tanzania’s Universal Health Insurance Act, 2023, aims to provide mandatory health coverage for all citizens, addressing low insurance rates and high out-of-pocket costs. Success hinges on trust, political will, and inclusive financing to ensure equitable, accessible...
Decree 4541 of the Presidency of the Republic of Paraguay approved the National Health Policy of Paraguay in December 2015. It is the roadmap to follow in terms of public health, for universal access to health in the country for the period from 2015 to 2030. Strategy...
Vietnam’s new Social Insurance Law, effective 1 July, restricts lump-sum payouts to workers who meet specific conditions such as serious illness, emigration, or insufficient contribution years at retirement age, aiming to encourage long-term participation in the...
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) will implement new regulations from January 1, 2026, requiring commercial health insurance products to adopt a co-payment scheme, coordinate benefits with the National Health Insurance program, and establish a Medical Advisory...
