29-Apr-16 China has spent RMB5.64 tn (USD871 bn) since 2009 to improve its healthcare system. The health budget for 2016 is RMB1.24 tn (USD191 bn) and the average annual growth of medical input has surpassed 20% over the past seven years. [image: SCMP]

14-Apr-16 Millions of people in developing countries are at risk of going without even the most basic health services as a result of low domestic health spending and slow growth in international aid for health. Nearly half of 80 developing nations are unlikely to meet the 2040 international target of USD86 per person per year. [image: Reuters / Camille Lepage]

11-Apr-16 There’s been a steep rise in global obesity rates over the past four decades. The number of obese people has risen from 105 mn in 1975, to 641 mn. Globally 1 in 5 adults will be obese by 2025 and in Australia it will be 1 in 3. Australia needs to urgently increase spending on the prevention of chronic diseases resulting from obesity, according to experts. [image: The Blue Room Bupa]

06-Apr-16 China will further deepen reform in healthcare this year. Plans discussed include expanding the number of cities piloting urban public hospital reform from 100 to 200, and implementing a tiered medical care pilot project in 70% of the country's prefectural-level areas. [image: China Daily]

01-Apr-16 Big budget increases have been made in China for healthcare and family planning, which will get a 47% boost to RMB12.43 bn (USD1.9 bn). Spending on rural health centers will double in 2016, and the budget for government medical insurance will increase nearly five-fold. [image: The Telegraph / Getty]