05-Jun-16 160 million people are so far members of the "JKN" universal health insurance program in Indonesia, and it has been credited with helping many since its 2014 launch. But it faces numerous challenges, from underfunding, to slow and patchy implementation, to long lines at clinics in densely populated areas, where the system has become a victim of its own success. [image: AFP-JIJI]

02-Jun-16 Over a third of Malaysians are directly paying for medical services despite universal health care, an excessive figure that can lead to financial catastrophe, the Health Minister said. He said Malaysians' out-of-pocket payments were approximately 35% of the country's overall health expenditure. [image: The Malay Mail Online]

31-May-16 Singapore-based Imagene Labs and New York-based LifeNome Inc have announced a partnership to bring genomic personalization to Southeast Asia. The partnership will leverage on the genetics testing facilities of Imagene Labs together with the proprietary bioinformatics platform of LifeNome, to provide consumers in the region with personalized guidance on nutrition, fitness, skincare and other wellness topics. [image: Pulse / LinkedIn]

24-May-16 In 2001, Thailand introduced the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). The UCS, which spread to all provinces the following year, provides outpatient, inpatient and emergency care, available to all according to need. By 2011, the program covered 48 million Thais, or 98% of the population. [image: Dulyanut Swdp / Getty Images]

25-May-16 For mental health patients in Cambodia, long waits are far from uncommon at the state-run clinic. Although its outpatient department is the biggest in the country, the facility only has six registered psychiatrists to treat hundreds of patients per day between 7am and 12pm. For those with serious conditions that require continual specialised care, there are ten beds available. [image: Channel News Asia]