This paper, published in PLOS One authored by Julia Hatamyar, Sally Shayeb, Akseer Hussain, Weeam Hammoudeh, Sumit Mazumdar, and Rodrigo Moreno-Serra, explores the relationship between multidimensional vulnerability and financial risk protection (FRP) in health within...

Barbados celebrates UHC day 2024
On UHC day in December 2024, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean nations reconfirm their commitment to access for their population to quality health services, without financial hardship. Achieving this goal is a particular challenge for small island developing states,...
The current situation of health equity in underserved areas of Afghanistan
Providing universal health coverage (UHC) in Afghanistan faces challenges due to the country's geographic topography and gender dynamics. A significant number of primary healthcare facilities are unevenly distributed, leaving nearly 25% of the population underserved,...

5th Edition of the WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health
The WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health convened experts to advance Universal Health Coverage for displaced populations. Discussions focused on inclusive policies, health financing, and integrating migrants into national health systems.The 5th edition of...
Stepping stones towards social protection and climate resilience in the Maldives
The report examines the connection between social protection and climate change policies in the Maldives, emphasizing that these two areas are often not integrated despite their potential benefits. It highlights the growing risks faced by vulnerable populations in...
Fostering inclusion: Advancing social health protection for persons with disabilities in Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam
Advancing disability-inclusive social protection is essential for achieving universal access to social health protection, which fosters social inclusion and economic participation for persons with disabilities. A holistic approach is needed to ensure that social...
South Korea’s healthcare expenditure: a comprehensive study of public and private spending across health conditions, demographics, and payer types (2011–2020)
South Korea's healthcare expenditure rose significantly from $45.6 billion in 2011 to $76.9 billion in 2020, accounting for 9.3% of GDP. Despite universal health coverage, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses remain high, particularly for women and the elderly. Public...
Who pays to treat malaria and how much? Analysis of the cost of illness, equity and economic burden of malaria in Uganda
Case management of malaria in Africa has significantly progressed over the past two decades, necessitating updated cost estimates for effective malaria control policies. In Uganda, a costing exercise revealed that the mean societal economic cost for treating suspected...
Determinants of out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines among adults in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
This study examined out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on medications among adults in Saudi Arabia using data from the 2018 Family Health Survey. The average OOP expenditure was estimated at 279.69 Saudi Riyals. Key determinants of OOP spending included age, household...
WHO and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia assessed barriers to care in rural areas
WHO and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia published a report that assessed barriers to care in North Macedonia, focusing in rural areas and small urban settlements. In the overview of the report, WHO stated: This study, conducted in North Macedonia, explored...

Free childbirth a reality in Gabon
Since August 2024, Gabon has been offering free deliveries in public hospitals. The aim is to end, if not limit, maternal and infant mortality. However, there are still grey areas and challenges to be met. Only from the sixth month of pregnancy will women be covered,...

PMNCH Dialogue: Improving financing to reduce mortality of women and children
Join PMNCH's virtual dialogue on 10 Dec 2024, focusing on financing to reduce mortality and improve health for women, children, and adolescents, featuring experts and innovative investment strategies. The third instalment of PMNCH’s Ready, Set, Implement Dialogue...
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Pakistan
In Pakistan, healthcare utilization is linked to out-of-pocket payments (OOP) which disproportionately affect low-income households. The study investigated socioeconomic inequality in OOP and catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs), and the contribution of...
The 2022 restructure of Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system
Aotearoa New Zealand has restructured its health system with the aim of addressing inequities in access to healthcare services and health outcomes, particularly among the indigenous Māori population. In July 2022, two new organizations, Health New Zealand and Māori...

Free medical care a reality in Guinea
Reproductive and child health services are now accessible thanks to the Health Services and Capacity Building Project (PRSCS). This World Bank-funded project has increased the number of births attended by skilled health personnel by a factor of more than ten. At the...