December 06, (THEWILL) — Global efforts to expand access to essential health services advanced as 15 countries launched National Health Compacts five-year reform plans to strengthen primary care, improve affordability, and boost job-rich economic growth. The announcement came at the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum in Tokyo, where the World Bank Group reported progress toward its 2030 goal of delivering quality, affordable care to 1.5 billion people.
Since the target was set in April 2024, the World Bank Group and partners have supported 375 million people with essential services, with active programs now underway in about 45 countries. Yet the 2025 Global Monitoring Report shows 4.6 billion people still lack essential health services, and 2.1 billion face financial hardship due to medical costs.
“Strong primary health systems do more than safeguard health; they support jobs and economic opportunity”, said World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga.
The 15 countries—Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Zambia outlined reform plans jointly endorsed by health and finance ministries. The compacts focus on expanding primary health care, strengthening financial protection, and building a digitally enabled health workforce
Governments are committed to facility upgrades, digital systems, expanded insurance coverage, and workforce reforms.
Examples of Reforms Underway
The Philippines is digitally connecting health facilities nationwide.
Uzbekistan is digitising processes to cut administrative workload by 30%.
Sierra Leone plans 300 new facilities and solar-powered upgrades for 1,800 centres.
Bangladesh and Indonesia are expanding multi-platform and digital primary care.
Ethiopia will equip 40% of primary health centres with digital tools.
Kenya plans to double public health spending, raising insurance coverage from 26% to 85%.
Morocco will extend mandatory health insurance to 22 million people.
Nigeria will train 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotech professionals and expand local manufacturing capacity.
Major partners announced aligned financing to back the implementation:
$2 billion in co-financed support from the World Bank Group, Gavi, and the Global Fund
Up to $410 million from philanthropic organisations
Workforce support from Seed Global Health
Technical assistance from Japan, the UK, and others
Japan, the WHO, and the World Bank Group also launched a Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub to speed the adoption of proven innovations.
The forum, co-hosted by Japan, the WHO, and the World Bank Group, brought together ministers, global health agencies, private-sector leaders, philanthropies, and civil society to chart the next phase of progress toward universal health coverage
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
