This study examines healthcare access and the factors contributing to unmet needs among migrants in Phuket Province, Thailand. The findings reveal that unmet needs are primarily linked to undocumented status, financial barriers, and language difficulties. Employment...

Study links cash transfers to lower child mortality in Kenya
A decade-long study in Kenya found cash transfers reduced child deaths by nearly half. Results, reported by The New York Times, highlight new evidence on poverty reduction and health outcomes.A new study reported by The New York Times shows that unconditional cash...
Social protection and forced displacement. Lessons learned from a decade of ILO operations
Published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the brief (authors: Clara Van Panhuys, Lou Tessier, and Lucrezia Roero di Monticello) examines how social protection systems can support the health and well-being of refugees and forcibly displaced populations...

Private Hospitals Suspend Services for India’s Health Insurance Members, Leaving Millions Without Care
India’s flagship health insurance scheme, PM-JAY, is under strain as 650 Haryana hospitals suspend services over ₹490 crore unpaid dues, cutting off 18 million people. In J&K, limited hospitals and delayed payments worsen access gaps. Patients face debt, delays,...

Clearer guidance can add to progress in health financing in Vietnam
Vietnam has expanded health insurance to 94% of its population, with free care targeted by 2035. But out-of-pocket costs remain high at 40%. WHO’s Dr. Pratt stresses stronger financing, efficiency reforms, primary care, and innovation to achieve universal health...

Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund running a deficit for at least 15 years
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deficit, rising healthcare costs, and criticism after lavish spending exposed governance gaps. Experts and officials urge reforms to improve efficiency, avoid worsening inequalities, and ensure sustainable financing without...

Stakeholders in Uganda call for innovative health financing mechanisms amid funding shifts
Uganda’s health sector faces funding gaps after donor cuts, forcing higher out-of-pocket costs and disrupting HIV, TB, and maternal health services. Stakeholders urge domestic financing, innovative taxes, and a national insurance scheme to protect vulnerable groups...
Universal public health insurance for Afghan refugees in Iran: a contextual analysis
This study explored the contextual factors affecting Iran’s basic universal health insurance program for Afghan refugees using the PESTEL framework. Through interviews with 22 stakeholders, researchers identified 61 factors across six main themes: political, economic,...
Machine learning based classification of catastrophic health expenditures: a cross-sectional study of Korean low-income households
This study examined catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) among low-income households in South Korea using machine learning methods on 2019 Korea Health Panel data. Results showed a 26.2% incidence of CHE, with AdaBoost performing best in prediction, highlighting...

The social insurance regulations for foreign workers in Vietnam
From 1 July 2025, foreign nationals in Vietnam on labour contracts of at least 12 months must join compulsory social insurance, unless exempt. They get the same benefits as locals. Contributions total 25% of salary: 8% by the worker and 17% by the employer, split...

Syria Seeks to Rebuild Shattered Healthcare System
Syria’s healthcare system is struggling to rebuild after 14 years of war with massive infrastructure damage, healthcare worker shortages, and political divisions. Violence, especially in Druze-majority Sweida, worsens humanitarian access and security, complicating...

In 2025, the Cuban government allocates 24% of the general budget for health care
The Cuban government shows the importance of health, with 24% of the national budget in 2025 allocated to the sector. Of the health budget, 30% of spending is earmarked for the population over 60 years of age. In 2025, health remains a priority for the Cuban...
Catastrophic health expenditure and household impoverishment in Togo
This peer review journal article published in 2023 analyses catastrophic health expenditures and effects on household impoverishment in Togo. Since 2015, Togo has been committed to working towards ensuring access to quality health care without its citizens incurring...
Providing financial protection in health for low-income populations: a comparison of health financing designs in East Asia
This study compared health financing schemes for low-income populations across six East Asian societies, analyzing eligibility, coverage, and benefits. Results showed Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea provide stronger financial protection, while mainland China lags...
Strategies for improving migrant health in Iran: a realist review
This realist review of 67 studies identified 27 strategies to enhance migrant health in Iran, focusing on trust-building through intersectoral governance, inclusive insurance to reduce financial barriers, cultural competency to improve accessibility, and community or...