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]

30-Aug-16 China’s State Council has declared that healthcare big data is a fundamental, strategic resource. By 2020, it plans to establish and continuously improve the inter-connectivity of Public Health Information Platforms and National Medicine Purchasing Business Platforms, to reduce information barriers thereby boosting sharing and utilisation of healthcare data, and to set up 100 model regional clinical data demonstrators. [image: McKinsey]

02-Sep-16 Jordan's government has agreed to recommendations to assist hospitals promoting inbound medical tourism. Recommendations include improving the investment environment, permitting private hospitals to generate alternative energy to reduce costs and seeking approval to allow hospitals to expand to more than eight floors. [image: International Medical Travel Journal]

10-Aug-16 South Korea bans doctor-patient virtual visits, and expects major demonstrations by doctors and activists when it comes up for a vote in the National Assembly. Medical professionals, including the 100,000 doctors in the KMA who successfully blocked telemedicine in 2014, are calling for "a slower, more collaborative plan of attack that establishes safety protocols." [image: Business Korea]

05-Aug-16 The latest reform of China's health system will see patients sign contracts with physicians for basic medical needs. According to the State Council, pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases are the prime targets of the new system. The initiative is intended to make services more accessible to the public and reduce overall medical costs. [image: China Daily]