Austria’s coalition government will launch a €500 million-a-year Health Reform Fund to expand primary care, strengthen prevention, and boost digital health services. Welcomed by health agencies, the plan faces Green criticism for lacking structural reform and creating...
Nigeria and Cross River State reaffirm commitment to UHC progress at the 66th National Council for Health. Key reforms include expanded health insurance, primary healthcare upgrades, and increased federal funding. WHO and development partners support coordinated...
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund plans 2026 reforms to make health funding fairer and more efficient, linking family doctor payments to patient illness and regional needs. It will cut lab budgets, expand preventive screenings and mental health coverage, and add new...
Vietnam plans to offer free annual health checks for all citizens from 2026 to boost preventive care. The proposal, tied to Resolution 72, includes expanded insurance coverage, staff incentives, and flexible funding using state and employer contributions. Lawmakers...
The report Primary health care policies and organisation in South American countries, authored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and published in 2025, provides a comprehensive examination of how primary health care (PHC) is structured, governed, and...
In 2025, CSR plays a crucial role in accelerating Universal Health Coverage by bridging public system gaps through financing, digital health, and specialist care partnerships. Aligning CSR with national priorities, measurable outcomes, and sustainable handover ensures...
Nepal faces a critical rise in non-communicable diseases, now causing over 70% of deaths. Health funding remains below 5% of the national budget, far from the WHO-recommended 10%. Inadequate, infrastructure-focused spending hampers quality care, prevention, and...
Kazakhstan will open 655 new health facilities in 2025, expanding primary care access to 1 million rural residents. The government allocated 3 trillion tenge to strengthen and digitise healthcare. Kazakhstan is set to significantly expand access to healthcare for its...
This pilot study examined the private out-of-pocket costs incurred by patients attending hospital outpatient consultations in Ireland. Data from 42 patients showed a median cost of €131 per visit and an average annual expense of €559, with additional burdens such as...
A record €27.4bn health budget for 2026 will fund more staff, hospital beds, home support hours and digital health reforms. Critics say it falls short on capacity and staffing. €3.8bn is allocated to disability services, including residential places, home supports and...
Tanzania’s government significantly increased primary health care (PHC) spending between 2021/22 and 2022/23, raising per capita expenditure and spending per outpatient visit. Despite this progress, current PHC spending remains well below global standards and the...
Universal health coverage (UHC) aims to ensure equitable access to quality health services without financial hardship, requiring adequate and sustainable public financing. In the WHO Western Pacific Region, economic growth has improved public health spending, yet many...
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in primary health care (PHC) systems across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Fragile infrastructures, limited resources, and workforce shortages left millions at risk as essential services—such as immunizations,...
Vietnam’s Resolution 72 charts major healthcare reforms, shifting focus to prevention and primary care. By 2030, commune stations will be fully staffed, essential costs covered by insurance, and digital health expanded. Incentives, training, and ethics aim to build a...
Primary health care (PHC) is recognized as the cornerstone of resilient health systems, yet financing it remains a persistent challenge in many parts of the world. In Southeast Asia, countries continue to prioritize PHC in policy commitments, but questions remain...
