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
New UNICEF publications show that UHC is achievable through health insurance and other social protection measures: Two newly released UNICEF publications demonstrate that while reaching universal health coverage (UHC) is possible in most countries, this requires a comprehensive social protection system of which health insurance is a crucial component. Health insurance, and how it can contribute to achieving universal health coverage, is the subject of UNICEF’s recently released 72-country “National health insurance in Asia and Africa” study.
Country News
Nepal
Universal health coverage policy options: In an Editorial by Dr. Plianbangchang, Regional Director, World Health Organization South-East Asia discusses the challenges that Nepal is currently facing including high out-of-pocket health spending and an increasing burden of noncommunicable disease. Nepal is currently reviewing policy options for financing universal health coverage.
Nigeria
Health financing: Why are we not doing the right thing?: Columnist Winifred Ogbego asks why health insurance is not mandatory in Nigeria.
Philippines
Philhealth members up by at least 100%: Membership for the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) is up by nearly 100 percent, with 160,539 subscribers in 2011 and an additional 159,957 new members as of May 25, this year.
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