JLN countries in headlines
JLN countries are engaged in serious political and technical discussions on how to expand health coverage. Still others are considering such reforms, but are struggling to navigate the legal, financial, and political frameworks of their countries to determine the best path towards reform.
Below is a list of UHC-related headlines from JLN member countries:
India
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority for state-backed health insurance scheme in India: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) has strongly come out in support of an upcoming government-backed health insurance policy aimed at providing health cover to a large population of the country. [Source: Business Standard]
National debate needed on universal health coverage in India: Call for a national public debate on the proposed universal health care system, saying that such an important issue cannot be rushed through and its various strands need to be understood, discussed and commented upon widely by the people. [Source: The Hindu]
Kenya
Kenya's NHIF must minimize risk of fraud in system: Quality controls should be effected along the value chain, possibly by the setting up of an independent team with representation from the government, the union, service providers and health professionals to regularly assess the level of service delivery and get feedback from members. [Source: Business Daily]
Kenya's National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) adopts capitation payment system (Video): NHIF has adopted capitation payment system where payments are made in advance to accredited health service providers on quarterly basis. The funds CEO Richard Kerich says the system helps check fraud in claims payouts where insurers are billed after the patient's treatment by the various health facilities.
NHIF's medical scheme for civil servants returns profit: The newly-introduced medical insurance scheme for civil servants and disciplined forces closed the first quarter of the year with a Sh13 million surplus, aided largely by tighter controls on outpatient claims which have been prone to widespread fraud. [Source: Business Daily]
Nigeria
NHIS strategizes to cover all Nigerians: In its bid to capture every Nigerian under health insurance, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is developing and implementing new programs across the country. [Source: National Mirror]
NHIS best option for quality health in Nigeria: In an interview with Alhaji Abdulrahman Sambo, the new acting executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he says that the NHIS is still the best means of financing the health sector and ensuring universal coverage. [Source: AllAfrica.com]