20-Oct-16  Indonesia is at risk of being unable to cater for growing demand for healthcare, as most hospitals have yet to meet service-quality requirements. Only 308 hospitals in Indonesia, or 20.8 percent of the total nationwide, have been accredited by the National Hospital Accreditation Committee (KARS) since 2012, when accreditation was introduced.  [image: Wikipedia]

13-Oct-16 The Philippines is short of 15,000 doctors to be able to adequately meet the health needs of Filipinos. It currently has one doctor for every 33,000 persons. The Health Secretary said there is a lack of volunteers willing to go to rural areas. The Doctors to the Barrios program can accommodate 398 doctors. However, 116 posts remain vacant. [image: CNN Philippines]

10-Oct-16 Vietnam's health insurance coverage will reach around 79% by the end of 2016 compared to the target of 76%, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien reported. The Minister said the sector is also likely to surpass the target for hospital beds per 10,000 people, estimated to reach 25 beds per 10,000, while the goal is 24.5. [image: VNA]

26-Sep-16 Full implementation of National Health Insurance in Indonesia (JKN) is targeted for 2019. Substandard healthcare service represents investment opportunities and records show surging demand for medical services since the JKN program rolled out. Siloam plans to reach 10,000 beds with 22 new hospitals by 2017, while Mitra Keluarga plans to expand its network to 18 by 2020. [image: The Jakarta Post]

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]