In Singapore, the government has stopped free COVID-19 treatment for unvaccinated people, while continuing free care and treatment for the vaccinated. It is expected to increase vaccine coverage as well as reduce public finance concerns on rising medical expenditures....
How can Saudi Arabia reform its public hospital payment models? A narrative review
The cost of healthcare in Saudi Arabia continues to rise at an alarming rate, challenging the sustainability of the public healthcare system. This paper reviews various identified payment models that can be used to contain costs and improve the quality of the care...
The Global Survey on HTA and Health Benefit Packages: Interactive Database and Findings
Developing systematic decision-making processes for health that are fair and transparent is an important step towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC). However, having such decision-making processes alone is not enough. These processes should have clear...
COVID-19 response in Lebanon: current experience and challenges in a low-resource setting
This journal article gives insight into Lebanon’s healthcare response to the COVID 19 pandemic with limited financial resources and an increasingly private and urban health sector. It suggests that 80% of the health care budget in Lebanon is spent on acute care in...
Purchasing health services under Egypt’s new universal health insurance law: What are the implications for universal health coverage?
This paper provides an assessment of the purchasing arrangements in Egypt as stipulated by the universal health insurance law and bylaw, their implications and contribution to progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). There needs to be more legal clarity in...
Implementing the universal health insurance law of Egypt: what are the key issues on strategic purchasing and its governance arrangements?
This document aims to inform the universal health insurance law implementation process in Egypt by anticipating the strengths and possible challenges as well as developing options to support a shift towards more strategic purchasing. It suggests that it would be...
Presenting documents on Egypt’s health system, social health protection laws and COVID 19 response
Two papers throw light on the provisions for strategic purchasing of health services in Egypt under the universal health insurance (UIH) law and highlight the requirement for more clarity on the subject for effective implementation (Egypt plans to progressively...
Health providers and insurance managers perspective on submission and reimbursement of claims under the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) in Ghana
The government of Ghana launched the NHIS in 2003 to improve Ghanaian residents’ access to health services at the point of care by lessening financial barriers. The system continues to face challenges including some related to delays in submission and reimbursement...
Kazakhstan made a work-plan to review fees for medical care reimbursed by the Social health insurance fund
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Healthcare has approved a work plan to develop and review tariffs (fees) for medical services provided within the guaranteed volume of free medical care and the mandatory social health insurance for year 2022. The workplan includes...
Maldives plans to impose price ceilings on pharmaceutical drugs
To curb the government expenditure as well as household spending on medical expenses, Maldives plans to impose price ceiling on pharmaceutical drugs next year to prevent excessive pharmaceutical drug use and prescription. In addition, Maldives also plans to work on...
Ukraine updated regulation on payments to health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients
According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of August 11, 2021 No. 836, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine updated regulations on payments to health care workers treating COVID-19 patients. The Social Insurance Fund of Ukraine...
Country-based study on evidence on financial protection in Moldova
Can people afford to pay for health care? New evidence on financial protection in the Republic of Moldova (2020) A report by WHO with the above title has been published under authorship of By Iuliana Garam, Mariana Zadnipru, Valeriu Doronin, Andrei Matei, Ilaria...
Implementing programme based budgeting in Ghana’s health sector – June 2021
Bahrain National Insurance launches insurance cover for COVID 19
Bahrain National Insurance has launched a COVID 19 insurance cover that is expected to be useful to various private and public establishments for covering COVID 19 related medical needs of their employees. Benefits of the health insurance include a one-off...
Strengthening Maternal Health Finance in Kenya: Lessons for Universal Health Coverage Reform
Join ThinkWell, KEMRI Wellcome Trust, and P4H for a special webinar, "Strengthening Kenya’s Free Maternity Policy: Lessons for Universal Health Coverage Reforms" on Tuesday, November 9 at 4:00 PM EAT (8:00 AM EDT/2:00 PM CET) to hear experts discuss new study findings...