New $2,000 payout for those who need hospitalisation after Covid-19 vaccine shot
Those who suffer from serious side effects related to their Covid-19 vaccination can apply for financial assistance from Wednesday (March 17). Their applications under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for Covid-19 vaccination (Vifap) will...
Malaysia sets up compensation fund for COVID-19 vaccinations
Malaysia announced it had established a US$2.4 million compensation fund to provide cash assistance for any COVID-19 vaccine recipients who suffer severe reactions due to inoculations. Under the new fund, individuals requiring extended hospitalisation due to a...
Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshis benefit from inclusive COVID-19 response
At the beginning of 2021, the Bangladesh government began the rollout of a national COVID-19 vaccination plan, with the first vaccinations taking place in the capital at the end of January. Over the next month, more than three million Bangladeshis received their first...
Additional Fund Approved by the Cabinet to Acquire COVID-19 Vaccine
The 'Thai' Cabinet has approved an additional fund of 6,387.29 million baht from the central fund of the 2021 national expenditure to acquire 35 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, so that the people of Thailand will have access to the vaccine. Out of...
Indonesia approves free COVID-19 vaccine drive by private companies
The Indonesian government said it would allow private companies to run coronavirus vaccination programs for workers and families alongside a nationwide drive to expedite efforts in achieving herd immunity. “The companies will provide the vaccines for free for...
The Philippines to Suspend Social Security and Healthcare Premium Hikes for 2021
The Philippines House of Representatives passed House Bill’s No. 8461 and 8512 which authorizes the President to suspend the premium contribution hikes for social security programs. The contribution rate for the SSS was supposed to increase from the current 12...
Japan to raise medical fees for people over 75 based on income
To address the rapidly graying population coupled with low birth rates in Japan, the Japanese Parliament is hiking out of pocket health expenditure for those aged 75 and above subject to a minimum income of 2 million yen. The plan will require people over 75...
Government accepts Medishield Life Council’sRecommendations and commits S$2.2 Billion for premium subsidies and support
Singapore offers healthcare coverage to its entire population through Medisave, a personal savings account and MediShield Life, a low-cost medical insurance to help Singaporeans pay for large hospitalisation bills. To ensure continued healthcare...
Universal Coverage Scheme: 10 outstanding accomplishments in 2020
The National Health Security Office (NHSO), Thai government’s independent agency overseeing Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) despite the COVID 19 crisis initiated new health programs, health system response and social innovations that strengthen health system in...
Public–private partnerships for universal health coverage? The future of “free health” in Sri Lanka
With less than 5% spending ion health, the Sri Lankan Government runs public hospitals that offer ‘free’ healthcare on a walk-in basis with no extra cost. While this is an achievement of no ordinary means and has impressive geographical reach even though...
Budget debate: Healthcare subsidies to be revamped so those who need them will get more
The Health Ministry is looking to reorganize the system of hospital care subsidies to benefit those that need financial help with their medical bills. This essentially means a switch from basing subsidies on an individual’s income to per capita household income (PCHI)...
Flexi-MediSave rules to be eased to allow seniors to withdraw up to $300 for outpatient treatment
The Flexi-Medisave scheme allows patients aged 60 and above to tap their own or their spouse's Medisave funds to pay for outpatient expenses at polyclinics, specialist outpatient clinics and GP clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Annual...
Singapore Health Minister says share of national health expenditure increased to 46% but doesn’t say it’s far below OECD’s average.
In the past eight years Singapore has consistently increased the share of health in the national budget by and average of 1.2% from 2013 onwards. In Parliament, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong assured the House that primary healthcare will be strengthened...
Hungary Reaches 3 Million Vaccinations, Reopening Continues?
Hungary has now reached 3 million vaccinations against the coronavirus, and despite infections and deaths remaining high, talks of further reopening are underway. The United Kingdom is also continuing its reopening, but its conditions appear much safer than the...
Mass testing for COVID-19 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: “One door-one test” approach
In response to the recent increase of COVID 19, the Mongolian government initiated a mass testing campaign, the so-called “One door-one test” (ODOT), which utilised PCR assays to test one family member (age>18) from each of the 420,000 households in the capital...