Malaysia is rolling out US $9.62 Billion financial aid package ‘Pemerkasa Plus’
The government is rolling out a mammoth RM40 billion (US$ 9.62 Bn) financial aid package named Pemerkasa Plus to render support to the healthcare sector to effectively battle the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure that the nation's healthcare system remains...
Bangladesh boosts health budget by 4% but analysts call it a ‘missed’ opportunity
As part of the government’s efforts to redress the fallout of the pandemic, the Bangladesh Parliament announced a Tk 327.31 billion outlay on health and family welfare in the proposed Tk 6.04 trillion spending plan. Set against the backdrop of a devastating...
PhilHealth has released 6.3 billion PHP (Philippine peso worth of claims of hospitals
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has released P6.3-billion worth of claims of hospitals in high-risk areas in the battle against COVID-19. The funds were released through the debit-credit payment program to around 206 health institutions. PhilHealth...
Thailand withdraws free quarantine for Thai nationals arriving from abroad
From 1 July, the Thai government will step back from providing state quarantine funded from the state exchequer to citizens who return from abroad by air or sea. Such returnees will have to pay for their 14 day quarantine at private hotels certified by the government....
ESI Fact Sheet 2021
P4H India presents a fact sheet on the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme, a social insurance scheme in India, aimed at providing social security benefits to workers, including sickness and medical benefits. Access it here...
Tools to help civil society actors understand public financing for health in the context of UHC
Understanding public financing for health is critical to effective advocacy to advance efforts to implement universal health coverage (UHC). A new toolkit developed by UHC2030 and PMNCH aims to give civil society and other stakeholders a better understanding of the...
Korea considers another extra budget without debt sale: Finance minister
Korean government is planning for another extra budget without issuing government bonds as it is expected to collect more tax revenue this year amid an economic recovery. The extra budget, if created, will be used to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout,...
Malaysia will not hike charges for Covid-19 treatment at private hospitals
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said hospitals do not have the prerogative to raise admission charges and direct deposits solely due to shifting demands. Private hospitals have been admitting Covid-19 patients...
Constant development in Thailand to make Universal Coverage Scheme on par with other health schemes
One of the most sought-after health coverage schemes in Thailand is the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS) which, among other things provides the freedom of choice when choosing a hospital where they seek services. Thus it is seen as a benchmark by many...
Thailand announces new benefits package for VITT diagnosis and treatment under Universal Coverage Scheme
The National Health Security Board has approved laboratory testing and medication for treating vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS)'s benefits package. The introduction of VITT laboratory testing and...
Japan Sets New Prices on Majority of Pharmaceutical Products Sold in Country
The cost of the majority of pharmaceuticals sold in Japan will undergo major revisions April 1, when the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) sets new prices on more than 69% of drugs marketed in the country. The revisions mean the national health insurance...
For Universal Healthcare, the Philippines Tries “Sin Taxes”
Rising healthcare costs in The Philippines owing to inadequate public investment prevents citizens from going for regular checkups and the country from achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). To address this, three laws that have come into legislation in the recent...
Bangladesh Government to expand Health Insurance for People below Poverty Line
The government announced during its budget speech last week that it will expand health insurance for people living below the poverty line. The expansion comes as part of a programme called "Shashtho Shurokkha Karmashuchi" (SSK) formulated to finance expansion of...
Let’s Talk Primary Health Care on 23 June 12.00–14.00 CET
WHO European Centre for Primary Health Care is organizing the 6th talk show “Let’s Talk Primary Health Care” on 23 June 12.00–14.00 CET. This webinar series is a monthly event with an overarching purpose to connect country task forces on...
The Philippines will release a New Benefit Package for Covid-19 Patients under Home Quarantine
The Department of Health and the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation (commonly known as PhilHealth) has formulated a new home care benefit package for Covid 19 patients that will include "cost mechanisms", among others. The "holistic" home care...