The Week in Headlines
UHC Forward's weekly roundup of headlines from around the globe
Governments around the world are engaging in serious political and technical discussions on how to expand health coverage. Still others are considering such reforms, but are struggling to navigate the legal, financial, and political frameworks of their countries to determine the best path towards reform.
Below is a list of UHC-related headlines from around the world:
General News
The quest for universal health coverage: achieving social protection for all in Mexico: A national health insurance programme called Seguro Popular is providing access to a package of comprehensive health services with financial protection for more than 50 million Mexicans previously excluded from insurance. This report analyses the road to universal coverage along three dimensions of protection: against health risks, for patients through quality assurance of health care, and against the financial consequences of disease and injury. (The Lancet)
Mexico chalks up success in health-care reforms: A revamp of Mexico’s beleaguered health-care system is proving to be a runaway success and offers a model for other nations seeking to reform their own systems, according to a review published this week in The Lancet1. The key to the scheme’s success is the way in which it has modified its reforms in response to scientific assessments of their effectiveness, the authors say. (Nature)
The Challenge of Universal Health Coverage – 2012 Global Flagship Course on Health Systems Strengthening and Sustainable Financing: The World Bank Institute will offer an eight-day course on “The Challenge of Universal Health Coverage – Health System Strengthening and Sustainable Financing”. This course is targeted to mid-level and high-level health and finance policy-makers, development partners and other key stakeholders. (The World Bank Institute)
Looking back on the Harare Declaration and the Bamako Initiative: Bruno Meesen, Economist, Health Policy and Financing Unit of the Department of Public Health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, explains how several communities of practice affiliated with Harmonization for Health in Africa will collaborate to develop a collective reflection on the Harare Declaration and Bamako Initiative. (International Health Policies)
Country News
India
Jaya brings farmers under insurance cover: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today ordered expansion of the ambit of 'Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme,' allowing members registered under the Farmers' Protection Scheme to be covered. (News Today)
Too much faith in private health care: The draft 12 Year Plan rightly endorses the three-year doctor scheme, but it is silent on reversing the dangerous trend of privatization of health care. (The Hindu)
Nigeria
'Mandatory NHIS law will improve health care': The acting Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo, has made a case for the amendment of the health insurance scheme law to make it mandatory for all Nigerians to register with the scheme. (AllAfrica.com)
South Africa
NHI could take 15 to 25 years: Building a National Health Insurance (NHI) system is among the objectives contained in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), handed to President Jacob Zuma in the National Assembly. However, successful implementation could take up to 25 years according to the National Planning Commission. (News 24)
Thailand
Financing Ministry rejigs health scheme: The Finance Ministry will consider buying health insurance to cover only serious illnesses for state officers as a money-saving measure. (Bangkok Post)
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