The WHO Director-General praised Vietnam’s strong health policies and affirmed continued support in strengthening grassroots healthcare and public health systems. Prime Minister Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s shift toward prevention-focused healthcare and called for...
Indonesia makes impressive progress towards universal health coverage in just 10 years, covering over 98 percent of its population through the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) Program, thanks to strong government commitment and collaboration among stakeholders. Badan...
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Act aims to create a unified, fair, and affordable healthcare system that provides equal access to quality care for all citizens, regardless of income or location. This transformative reform addresses current inequalities...
Georgia’s move toward universal health coverage is challenged by a largely private health sector and weak governance. Insufficient regulatory detail, purchasing gaps, and poor stakeholder dialogue undermine care quality and equity. Strengthening governance requires...
Nearly 7% of Maltese households face catastrophic health spending. To improve financial protection, Malta should expand means-tested schemes, reduce medicine prices, address waiting times, and broaden publicly funded dental services. A new WHO report, “Can people...
The 10 Year Health Plan for England seizes the opportunities provided by new technologies, medicines, and innovations to deliver better care for all patients – wherever they live and whatever they earn – and better value for taxpayers. It is making 3 big shifts to how...
This study assessed the annual out-of-pocket (OOP) costs of cancer care for patients in Bangladesh, their coping mechanisms, and the financial distress they experienced. Using data from three hospitals, researchers estimated an average annual OOP cost of US$ 6,504 per...
Summary: In March 2025, a multi-ministerial group met in Paraguay, including, among others, the ministries of health and finance, to work on strengthening the healthcare system. Within 60 days, they are to propose specific measures for intensive care units. At the...
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to Universal Health Coverage by deepening strategic health sector cooperation with Brazil, focusing on local pharmaceutical production, digital health, and workforce development, while drawing lessons...
At the 15th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting in Brasília, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to global health equity, emphasizing the need for resilient health systems and progress toward Universal Health Coverage. The country also called for enhanced cooperation among...
Africa’s health systems remain trapped in a costly, hospital-centered model focused on treating illness rather than preventing it, which is unsustainable given limited resources and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. To achieve universal health coverage,...
At their 2025 meeting in Geneva, Commonwealth health ministers committed to long-term, equitable health financing, with a strong focus on innovation, primary care and support for vulnerable nations.At the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva, leaders...
Accelerating its health system transformation, Uzbekistan hosted a High-Level Policy Dialogue and WHO Barcelona Course on Health Financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) tailored to the country context. The event is organised by the World Health Organization and...
Panama initiated political dialogue on the reform of the social security system. The reform includes health and the unification of the Social Security Fund with the Ministry of Health. This will facilitate the financing of benefits, the purchase of joint medicines and...
This working draft document was updated following consultations and a group meeting in Saint Vincent in June 2023. All content contained within this draft document is pending review, edits, and approval by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and any...
