Global Initiative Launched to Strengthen Health Systems and Expand Access to care
A new global effort, spearheaded by the World Bank, the world Health Organization (WHO), and the Government of Japan, aims to bolster health systems and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare in developing countries. The initiative centers around two key components: National Health Compacts and the UHC Knowledge hub.
Twenty-one countries have committed to developing National Health Compacts – government-led agreements outlining specific reforms, investment priorities, and accountability measures to unlock resources for improved healthcare access. These reforms vary by nation, with examples including free health checkups and health insurance expansion in Indonesia, and the development of a pharmaceutical strategy in Mexico projected to create 60,000 jobs through private sector partnerships. The formal launch of these compacts is scheduled for the UHC High-Level Forum in Tokyo in December 2025.
Alongside the compacts, Japan is hosting the inaugural program of the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo. This platform will provide capacity-building and knowledge sharing opportunities for national policymakers from developing countries,focusing on strengthening health financing expertise within both health and finance ministries. Japan will share its own experiences to support institutional capacity and drive tangible reforms in health financing.
The initiative comes at a time when overseas aid for health is facing cuts. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,WHO Director-General,emphasized the need to support countries in mobilizing domestic resources for their health systems,particularly for primary care,and protecting vulnerable populations from financial hardship due to out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
The overarching goal is to deliver quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President, stressed that achieving this ambitious target requires a collaborative effort, highlighting the potential for improved health, economic growth, and job creation.
Participating Countries & Organizations:
the Health work Leaders Coalition includes: Egypt, Ethiopia, GAVI, the Vaccine alliance, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Seed Global Health, Sierra Leone, Saint Lucia, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, United Kingdom, WARIn, and Wellcome Trust.
the initial group of countries developing national Health Compacts are: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Zambia.
The first cohort of countries participating in the UHC Knowledge Hub are: Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Philippines.
