UHC Forward: Towards Universal Health Coverage

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

(Health Systems 20/20) - Creating a common set of indictors for universal health coverage: As countries declare their commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), there is a need to establish guidelines and develop indicators to measure and monitor progress. On July 20, Health Systems 20/20 is co-sponsored a meeting with the World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, Results for Development Institute, UNAIDS, and the Rockefeller Foundation with the goal of creating a preliminary list of indicators for measuring progress towards UHC.

(Health Systems 20/20) - Health Systems 20/20 event marks progress in health systems strengthening: Approximately 200 global health professionals gathered in Washington, D.C. on July 18 to discuss the future of health systems strengthening and lessons learned during the six years of Health Systems 20/20. The event’s attendees offered a range of comments about the need to maintain a focus on people, to support local organizations that increase in-country capacity to produce and use health data, and to consider budget crises an opportunity to solve problems by developing new approaches.

Country News

Ghana

(AllAfrica.com) - Ghana's NHIS is now healthier than it was in 2008: During a presentation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) ID cards at the Accra psychiatric Hospital, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHIA, Mr. Sylvester Mensah noted that "the NHIS is healthier than it was in December 2008." He said the efforts of the government have helped to elevate the confidence and stature of the scheme, and that the scheme had become a cornerstone in the health care of the country.

(Ghana News Agency) - The Ghanaian Minister of Health organizes policy dialogue on social welfare programs: A policy dialogue on targeting the poor for social welfare programmes, including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been held in Accra with a call for a revision of the poverty maps to achieve equity at all levels in the country. Organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the Planning Department of the School of Public Health, sought to review comparative country experiences of the NHIS and analyse the merits to Ghana.

India

(The Times of India) - Orphans and destitute to be covered under Aarogyasri: The state government has now brought thousands of orphans and destitute living in Andhra Pradesh under the Aarogyasri cover. The revenue department through the GO 452 issued on July 16 includes orphans and destitute in old age homes that are managed & recognized by the state government to provide cashless treatment under Aarogyasri health insurance scheme.

Malawi

(African Health Observatory) - Analytical summary of health financing in Malawi: The Government of Malawi and its development partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to finance and support the SWAp Programme of Work (POW). The MOU provides for a common framework for health sector planning, budgeting, financing, financial management, and reporting and monitoring and evaluation.

Nigeria

(Leadership) - Nigeria on course to achieving universal healthcare financing: The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, says that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) had put Nigeria on the right track to achieving universal health care financing.

Philippines

(Philippines Information Agency) - PhilHealth moves forward with universal health care: PhilHealth is rapidly expanding its program in support of universal health care by providing heath insurance coverage for all national government. As of May 2012, PhilHealth has paid out over P16 billion of benefits and expects to further expand benefit payments to over a billion pesos weekly starting July 2012.

(Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation) - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation introduces enhanced primary care benefits: In support of the government’s Universal Health Care Program, known as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan -- to ensure that every Filipino shall receive affordable and quality health benefits -- the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently introduced an enhanced primary care benefits package.

Tanzania

(The Citizen) - Tanzanian lawmakers urged to join NHIF: The National Health Insurance Fund has asked MPs to join it and benefit from the fast growing health scheme.The fund also pleaded with the legislators to amend laws impeding the establishment of health insurance providers as they are crucial in supplementing government’s efforts in provision of health services.

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