19-Jan-16 Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binay has criticized the government’s health program, saying its health policies had been an additional burden to the poor instead of helping them. Citing a report from IBON Foundation, a spokesman said PhilHealth members were still shelling out money for confinement, medicine and other medical needs, defeating the purpose of PhilHealth membership. [image: The Standard]

15-Jan-16 From 1-Jan-16 foreigners in Malaysia began bearing the full cost of medical treatment at government hospitals and clinics, a year ahead of initial plans. The Health Minister said the ministry revised its healthcare subsidy for foreigners as a cost-cutting measure to weather current economic challenges. [image: New Straits Times]

13-Jan-16 Public hospitals in Hong Kong will get an additional 5,000 beds and 90 operating theatres in the next 10 years as part of a HKD200 bn (USD26 bn) bundle of development projects to cope with a rapidly ageing population, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has said. [image: SCMP Pictures]

07-Jan-16 With the addition of 25,000 hospital beds and a 5x increase in health budget, the health sector in West Bengal is on the verge of a turnaround. Sick newborn care units have increased to 45 from six, medicines have been made free for the poor, and a number of fair price diagnostic centres have been set up. [image: Hospital Directory Asia]

30-Dec-15 Bolivian President Evo Morales has announced investment of USD1.70 bn in the hospital sector as part of the 2016-2020 Social & Economic Development Plan. Four level-4 hospitals are planned, located in Cochabamba, Tarija, La Paz, and Santa Cruz, and specialising in oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and neurology respectively. Morales also confirmed the development of a universal healthcare system. [image: Plan Canada]