Latest news with #UniversalHealthCoverage
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Sierra Leone moves closer to Universal Health Coverage with high-level engagement on draft Sierra Leone Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SLAUHC) Bill
Sierra Leone has taken a critical step toward advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the convening of a high-level policy dialogue on the draft Sierra Leone Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SLAUHC) Bill. Organized on 6 May 2025 by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the one-day engagement brought together over 60 senior leaders in Freetown, including ministers, directors, and technical heads from across the health sector. The proposed SLAUHC Bill outlines the establishment of a dedicated agency that will integrate and manage two major national health financing mechanisms, the Free Healthcare Initiative (FHCI) and the Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLeSHI). The unified governance structure aims to address current fragmentation, improve the efficiency of health financing, and accelerate the country's progress toward achieving UHC. 'This Bill is a transformative step in Sierra Leone's journey toward sustainable health financing,' said Dr. Ibrahim F. Kamara, speaking on behalf of the WHO Country Representative. 'It will strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and ensure equitable access to health services, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.' The engagement served three key objectives: a comprehensive review of the draft legislation, consensus-building among stakeholders, and alignment with the Ministry of Health's UHC Roadmap and SLeSHI implementation framework. The outcome is a consolidated and informed policy position ahead of the bill's submission to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). Chief Medical Officer Dr Sartie Kenneh emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to UHC: 'the name and scope of the bill must reflect the broader dimensions required to achieve UHC. While health financing is a critical pillar, it is only one part of the equation. No healthcare service is truly free, while it may be free at the point of delivery, someone ultimately bears the cost. Therefore, we must collectively design a sustainable health financing model that ensures long-term viability. It is also prudent to allow the Free Healthcare Initiative and the Social Health Insurance Scheme to operate in tandem, to optimize coverage and ensure the full spectrum of healthcare costs is addressed.' The proposed SLAUHC Agency responds to longstanding structural challenges in the health financing landscape. Currently, out-of-pocket payments account for 56% of total health expenditure, well above the sub-Saharan Africa average of 30%. Less than 1% of Sierra Leone's population is covered by any social health protection scheme, exposing many to catastrophic health spending and pushing households further into poverty. Moreover, with 75% of health financing reliant on donor contributions, ensuring coherence with national priorities remains a pressing issue. The draft bill is grounded in the Ministry's Health Financing Strategy 2021–2025, which calls for the creation of a Universal Health Coverage Fund, integration with SLeSHI, and the development of operational and regulatory systems to support long-term health sector sustainability. WHO has reaffirmed its full technical support to the Ministry in the finalization and operationalization of the SLAUHC Bill. This includes support for institutional design, capacity strengthening, cost-containment mechanisms, and the establishment of care quality and priority-setting frameworks. Once enacted, the SLAUHC Agency will serve as a central institution for resource mobilization, regulation of financial flows, and oversight of major health benefit programs. It is expected to play a pivotal role in improving efficiency, transparency, and equity in health service delivery. This high-level dialogue marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's health sector reform agenda. It paves the way for the establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme and reinforces the country's commitment to achieving health for all, leaving no one behind. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Ethiopia Takes Bold Strides on Health Taxes to Drive Universal Health Coverage
In a landmark show of political will and multisectoral collaboration, the Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR), the Ministry of Health, and partners are spearheading one of Africa's most promising health financing reforms. By embracing health taxes as a strategic tool, Ethiopia has started strengthening its national health system, curbing the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and advancing its journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This momentous collaboration was showcased during a high-level training workshop held from 13 to 14 June 2025 in Adama, Ethiopia. The forum was jointly organized by WHO Ethiopia and the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and with generous financial support from the Government of Norway. The two-day event brought together 63 MPs and parliamentary staff as well as 13 senior officials of the Ministry of Health, reaffirming the critical role of legislative bodies in shaping public health through economic policy. The workshop focused on consolidating the capacity of lawmakers to further understand and champion health taxes—specifically excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These taxes are globally recognized for their dual impact: they discourage the use of harmful products while generating sustainable revenue to fund essential health services. In her opening remarks, H.E. Lomi Bedo, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized the transformative power of Ethiopia's 2020 excise tax law. 'By raising taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful products, Ethiopia has taken a critical step toward safeguarding public health and promoting healthier communities,' she stated. 'Increasing prices on unhealthy commodities remains one of the most effective strategies to reduce their consumption and associated health risks, including addiction and premature death.' Her remarks echoed the growing recognition of Parliament's proactive legislative stance—one that aligns with the nation's development vision and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ethiopian State Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Dereje Duguma on his part warned that misleading narratives from the tobacco industry persist—particularly claims that more than 50% of the tobacco market has turned illicit post-legislation. He stressed the importance of evidence-based policymaking and pledged the Ministry's continued collaboration with Parliament, WHO, and all development partners to strengthen tax administration and uphold Ethiopia's progress toward UHC and NCD control. Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, praised Ethiopia's leadership in adopting bold and effective non-traditional mechanisms to raise additional funds for the country. 'Stronger health systems enable countries to allocate scarce resources to their most pressing priorities,' Dr. Kaluwa said. 'The 2020 excise tax legislation remains one of the most impactful policy tools for reducing the consumption of harmful products while boosting domestic revenue.' Dr. Kaluwa highlighted that WHO's support to Ethiopia is part of a multi-year project on health taxes implemented in collaboration with IPU and funded by the Norwegian Government. As a priority country in this initiative, Ethiopia is receiving targeted technical assistance for policy analysis, tax implementation, and improved access to NCD treatment and care. Throughout the workshop, MPs and parliamentary technical staff deliberated on the latest global and national evidence on the effectiveness of health taxes. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions using updated policy briefs, data, and technical tools designed to inform legislative decisions and sustain tax implementation in the long term. Key discussions focused on the importance of Parliament's role in maintaining robust tax systems, supporting annual adjustments, and shielding policy development from industry interference. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing fiscal policies that prioritize public health and social equity. Health taxes have gained wider recognition globally as part of a broader push to combat NCDs—conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that account for more than 70% of global deaths and disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. Ethiopia's approach—grounded in science, backed by policy, and supported by partners—demonstrates how strategic legislation can serve both public health and economic resilience. Looking ahead, WHO Ethiopia reaffirmed its dedication to working alongside Parliament, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders to reinforce Ethiopia's health financing landscape. This includes ensuring that health taxes are not only implemented but effective, efficient, and accountable public financial management systems are necessary for the additional revenues to reach and be accountable for expenditure objectives. 'Health taxes are not just a revenue tool—they are a health-saving, life-preserving measure,' Dr. Kaluwa concluded. 'Ethiopia's continued leadership in this space is not only commendable but also offers a blueprint for the region and beyond.' As the country continues its path toward UHC, Ethiopia's experience highlights the power of political commitment, intersectoral collaboration, and strategic investment in health. The success of its health tax policy and administration illustrates how even modest fiscal interventions can yield transformative outcomes—saving lives, strengthening systems, and building a healthier future for all. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Rakan KKM still a cause for concern as it lacks clarity on many aspects, says MMA president
PETALING JAYA: The setting up of Rakan KKM is still a cause for concern as it lacks clarity on many aspects, says Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) President Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira. Kalwinder said he is concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding Rakan KKM's governance, operational model, scope of services, financing structure, and human resource planning. 'MMA urges the Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide the details of the manpower structure of the Rakan KKM initiative under the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc). 'A key concern is whether the initiative may inadvertently create inequities in access to care. There is growing apprehension that wealthier patients could be given faster access to services through this model within public facilities, effectively creating a two-tiered system,' he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 15). He added that this would undermine the principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which are built on fairness and equal access to care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Another pressing issue, he highlighted, is regulatory oversight as public trust in its transparency, accountability, and compliance with healthcare standards must be assured. 'Of greater concern is the impact this initiative may have on the already strained public healthcare workforce. 'With severe shortages of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals in public facilities, it is crucial that MOH clarify whether Rakan KKM will involve the secondment of government staff, external recruitment, or a transition of existing clinical and non-clinical personnel out of the public system,' he said. Concerns on whether existing MOH resources, such as infrastructure, equipment, and administrative support, will be utilised for services provided under this initiative also need to be addressed, he added. Kalwinder urged that further explanation be done without delay to prevent confusion or concern among the healthcare community and the public. 'MMA emphasises that any new initiative within the public healthcare framework must be people-centric, not profit-driven and must prioritise the interests of the rakyat. 'All reforms or partnerships in healthcare must be guided by the principles of equity, quality, transparency, and long-term sustainability,' he said. Rakan KKM is a whole-of-government partnership to enhance Ministry of Health hospitals and clinics by offering 'premium economy' services at selected public hospitals for elective outpatient, daycare, and inpatient services.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
One in five women in WHO Southeast Asia region covered under health insurance, study estimates
New Delhi: About one in every five women in the WHO Southeast Asia Region , including India, are covered under a health insurance, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has estimated. One in eight women in the region - defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) - were enrolled in social security schemes. At the same time, only one in thirteen had privately purchased or commercial insurance, the analysis reveals. The 'WHO Southeast Asia Region' includes India, among other countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia. Researchers from Health Systems Transformation Platform and Population Council Consulting Private Limited, New Delhi, also found that one in four men in the region had health insurance coverage, with the highest prevalence seen in Indonesia at over 56 per cent and lowest in Myanmar at about 1.5 per cent. In India, the prevalence of health insurance uptake was 53 per cent among women and 56 per cent among men, the team found. The highest levels of health insurance coverage for women and men in the region were found in Indonesia, while the lowest levels were reported in Bangladesh and Myanmar, respectively. Equity in accessing quality healthcare without experiencing financial hardship is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) - one of the core aims of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals - especially in low- and middle-income countries in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, the authors of the study said. They added that healthcare demands and costs are expected to rise in the region as populations age. However, high out-of-pocket expenditures remain a barrier despite health insurance programmes in the region, they said. The study analysed socioeconomic and demographic factors to estimate coverage under any health insurance, using data from Demographic and Health Surveys (2015-2022) conducted in the WHO Southeast Asia Region every five years. "Approximately one in five women in the region were covered by any form of health insurance," the authors wrote. "In contrast, one in four men in the region had any health insurance coverage, with the highest prevalence observed in Indonesia (56.6 per cent) and the lowest in Myanmar (1.4 per cent)," they wrote. Older age, higher education levels, and higher exposure to media were found to positively influence insurance coverage for both men and women in India, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Further, beyond individual factors, contextual ones such as government commitment, design and implementation of insurance schemes and economic conditions are crucial in determining health insurance coverage, the authors said. Traditional beliefs and a lack of trust in formal financial systems can hinder insurance adoption among South Asian communities, they added. Evidence suggests that in rural areas of India, Nepal and Bangladesh, people relied on community-based informal support systems over formal insurance, reflecting cultural preferences that affect enrolment rates, the team said. The study's findings, therefore, highlight that country-specific contexts need to be addressed to effectively expand health insurance coverage, the authors said. They suggested policies should prioritise building sustainable health financing systems, making healthcare infrastructures more resilient, and fostering widespread awareness in the community about the benefits of health insurance. Further, strategies aimed at resolving socioeconomic disparities and for the underinsured populations are vital in advancing equitable health insurance access and accelerating progress towards UHC, the team said. PTI
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
One in five women in WHO Southeast Asia region covered under health insurance, study estimates
About one in every five women in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, including India, are covered under a health insurance, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has estimated. One in eight women in the region — defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) — were enrolled in social security schemes. At the same time, only one in thirteen had privately purchased or commercial insurance, the analysis reveals. The 'WHO Southeast Asia Region' includes India, among other countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia. Researchers from Health Systems Transformation Platform and Population Council Consulting Private Limited, New Delhi, also found that one in four men in the region had health insurance coverage, with the highest prevalence seen in Indonesia at over 56 per cent and lowest in Myanmar at about 1.5 per cent. In India, the prevalence of health insurance uptake was 53 per cent among women and 56 per cent among men, the team found. The highest levels of health insurance coverage for women and men in the region were found in Indonesia, while the lowest levels were reported in Bangladesh and Myanmar, respectively. Addressing limited health insurance coverage Equity in accessing quality healthcare without experiencing financial hardship is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) — one of the core aims of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals — especially in low- and middle-income countries in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, the authors of the study said. They added that healthcare demands and costs are expected to rise in the region as populations age. However, high out-of-pocket expenditures remain a barrier despite health insurance programmes in the region, they said. The study analysed socioeconomic and demographic factors to estimate coverage under any health insurance, using data from Demographic and Health Surveys (2015-2022) conducted in the WHO Southeast Asia Region every five years. "Approximately one in five women in the region were covered by any form of health insurance," the authors wrote. "In contrast, one in four men in the region had any health insurance coverage, with the highest prevalence observed in Indonesia (56.6 per cent) and the lowest in Myanmar (1.4 per cent)," they wrote. Older age, higher education levels, and higher exposure to media were found to positively influence insurance coverage for both men and women in India, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Beyond individual factors Further, beyond individual factors, contextual ones such as government commitment, design and implementation of insurance schemes and economic conditions are crucial in determining health insurance coverage, the authors said. Traditional beliefs and a lack of trust in formal financial systems can hinder insurance adoption among South Asian communities, they added. Evidence suggests that in rural areas of India, Nepal and Bangladesh, people relied on community-based informal support systems over formal insurance, reflecting cultural preferences that affect enrolment rates, the team said. Bridging the health coverage gap The study's findings, therefore, highlight that country-specific contexts need to be addressed to effectively expand health insurance coverage, the authors said. They suggested policies should prioritise building sustainable health financing systems, making healthcare infrastructures more resilient, and fostering widespread awareness in the community about the benefits of health insurance. Further, strategies aimed at resolving socioeconomic disparities and for the underinsured populations are vital in advancing equitable health insurance access and accelerating progress towards UHC, the team said.
