10-Oct-16 As state spending on health continues to increase - in the 2015-16 fiscal year it increased 7% - demand for private and specialist services are also expected to increase as the middle class grows. With this comes an opportunity for the private sector to work with the public sector, NGOs and the government to improve the situation across the country. [image: Aye Zaw Myo / World Bank / CC BY-NC-ND]

10-Oct-16 Vietnam's health insurance coverage will reach around 79% by the end of 2016 compared to the target of 76%, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien reported. The Minister said the sector is also likely to surpass the target for hospital beds per 10,000 people, estimated to reach 25 beds per 10,000, while the goal is 24.5. [image: VNA]

26-Sep-16 Full implementation of National Health Insurance in Indonesia (JKN) is targeted for 2019. Substandard healthcare service represents investment opportunities and records show surging demand for medical services since the JKN program rolled out. Siloam plans to reach 10,000 beds with 22 new hospitals by 2017, while Mitra Keluarga plans to expand its network to 18 by 2020. [image: The Jakarta Post]

28-Sep-16 AIA Korea and SK Holdings have announced an MOU to develop Korea’s leading customer centric integrated digital health and wellness ecosystem. The companies aim to help motivate customers change and adopt a healthier lifestyle to reduce major chronic illnesses stemming from smoking, drinking, poor diet and lack of physical exercise. [image: Business Korea]

31-Aug-16 The Brazilian economic crisis could see universal healthcare replaced by US-style compulsory health insurance. The Government has new plans for healthcare as part of plans to slash expenditure. The proposed cuts could have a catastrophic effect both for the 19 mn Brazilians living under USD3.10 per day and for the rapidly expanding middle class who rely on public healthcare. [image: IMTJ]