24-Feb-15 While Australia’s healthcare system might suffer from some inefficiencies, the nation’s spending is roughly in line with that of other OECD countries. Australia spends a slightly lower proportion of GDP on healthcare (5.8%), compared with other nations in the OECD’s health expenditure database (6.6%), but actually spends more per-capita. [image: SBS]

03-Dec-14 Thousands of people have demonstrated in downtown Moscow, complaining that the quality of healthcare provided by the mandatory state insurance program is deteriorating, and accessing it is becoming far more difficult. Good care, they say, is available only through expensive private health. [image: The Christian Science Monitor/Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP]

27-Nov-14 A new OECD report says despite a 10% improvement in life expectancy over the past 20 years, most Asia-Pacific countries still need to step up efforts to give people access to affordable, quality healthcare. Too many people, especially women, cannot get the treatment they need due to high costs, difficulties in getting permission to see a doctor, or a lack of providers in rural areas. [image: OECD]

25-Oct-14 Turkish people’s healthcare spending rose 85% from 2009 to 2014, as a major shift in the burden of expenditure away from the state took place. Patients are charged up to ten different types of fees, such as examination payment and pillbox payment, when paying for treatment and medication. [image: Today's Zaman]

07-Oct-14 Online health is shaping up to be a hot new industry in China, as an increasing number of hospitals begin providing cyber services. According to Alibaba, 15 hospitals across China have joined the "Future Hospital" scheme initiated by its online payment platform Alipay. However it does not (yet) link up with China’s health insurance system. (Image: Alipay)