31-Mar-16 The WHO has urged the Southeast Asian nations to intensify efforts to make the Universal Health Coverage a reality. According to WHO, an estimated 130 million people in WHO Southeast Asia region lack access to essential health services and over 50 million people are pushed into poverty every year because of healthcare costs. [image: World Health Organization]

08-Mar-16 According to a circular issued by China's State Council, generic drugs already available on the market should be assessed on whether they are consistent with brand-name drugs, and if they could be used clinically. Crucially, generics that pass the assessment will be included under national insurance coverage. [image: People's Daily Online]

03-Mar-16 India has one of the biggest health protection gaps amongst the countries in Asia. The gap is projected to increase by 12.3% annually to US$214 billion by 2020. India will face a shortfall in healthcare financing of close to US$43 billion in 2020, which will require additional fiscal spending or higher out-of-pocket funding by individuals. [image: Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, Swiss Re ER&C]

02-Mar-16 Public health facilities in Ho Chi Minh City will be under pressure to improve quality of services as they no longer receive city funds for most regular expenditures. On 1-Mar-16 fees rose by 30-50% nationwide at all public hospitals, as scheduled by the Ministry of Health. The city's hospitals will now have to rely mostly on revenue from patients. [image: Duong Ngoc]

26-Feb-16 Indian healthcare is growing at 17% and is expected to be worth USD280 bn by 2020. Even so, nearly one million people die every year due to inadequate facilities and almost 700 mn have no access to specialist care. The Government has planned a 'complete transformation' of the sector. It now needs to act on its plans and allocate more money. [image: Reuters]