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...
Out-of-pocket cost and financial catastrophe of patients with cancer: the alarming cost-of-illness in Bangladesh
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...

Multidisciplinary group works to strengthen Paraguay’s health system
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...

Nigeria seeks deeper health ties with Brazil, unveils bold agenda for Universal Health Coverage
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...

Ethiopia Joins Brics Health Talks, Backs Stronger Global Cooperation
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...

Time for Africa to Replace the Curative Consumption Trap with Health Production Model
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,...

Health leaders chart path to sustainable, inclusive financing across the Commonwealth
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...

Uzbekistan hosts policy dialogue and WHO course on health financing reform
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...

Panamanian Social Security reform includes unification of health care system
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...
National Health Policy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Towards Universal Health
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...
Investing in health for a competitive, secure, and resilient Europe: A strategic call to action
A report by the EU Expert Advisory Group, convened by the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR), outlines the case for greater strategic investment in health across the European Union. Titled Investing in health for a competitive, secure,...

Pacific health systems: Breaking the aid dependency cycle
US aid cuts have exposed deep Pacific health system vulnerabilities, highlighting dependence on foreign funding. Sustainable improvement requires system-building, stronger local accountability, and investment in workforce and governance for lasting health...
IX and X Andean Forum on Health and Economics – Proceedings
These reports summarize the objective of the Andean Health and Economy Forum in general, as well as the previous meetings. In more detail, it describes the ninth and tenth forums. The 119-page document includes both the speeches and the work at the dialogue tables.
Forgone Care of doctor’s visits in Germany – Results from three cross-sectional surveys
A study analyzing data from German representative surveys found that 21% of participants reported forgone care in the past year, with higher rates in women and younger adults. The main barriers to accessing care were categorized as systemic, psychological, and...

The Danish Health Authority initiates key health reform tasks
The Danish Health Authority is developing proposals for a National Health Plan, standardized general practice services, and chronic disease care pathways to improve access, quality, and coordination. The reforms, involving stakeholders, start in 2027 for a more...
