The world is on a mission to bring affordable, quality healthcare to 1.5 billion people by 2030. This ambitious goal, set by the World Bank Group in April 2024, is gaining serious traction. But how are they doing it? Let's dive in.
Today, we're seeing remarkable progress. Fifteen countries have unveiled National Health Compacts, detailed five-year plans designed to revolutionize healthcare. These plans are laser-focused on three key areas: expanding primary care, making healthcare more affordable, and fostering job-rich economic growth. It's an all-encompassing approach that aims to strengthen health outcomes and boost employment opportunities.
Since the initiative began, the World Bank Group and its partners have already helped 375 million people gain access to quality, affordable care. Now, they're working with around 45 countries to scale up successful primary care models. This includes strengthening healthcare while creating jobs across various sectors, from healthcare workforces to local supply chains.
But here's where it gets controversial...these advancements are happening against a backdrop of aging populations, a rise in chronic diseases, and significant financial pressures on governments. The 2025 Global Monitoring Report highlights that 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, and 2.1 billion face financial hardship due to healthcare costs. This underscores the urgent need for long-term, coordinated reforms to build resilient and equitable health systems.
"Strong primary health systems do more than safeguard health—they support jobs and economic opportunity," said Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President. "Countries are stepping forward with clear priorities, and we are working alongside them to deliver practical solutions at scale. When efforts align behind what works, impact grows."
National Health Compacts: Country-Led Roadmaps
These compacts, endorsed at the highest levels of government, are essentially blueprints for change. They align Health and Finance Ministries, set measurable targets, and guide support from development partners. The focus is on:
- Expanding Primary Care: Countries are investing in connected facilities, digitizing processes, and expanding access to primary care services. For example:
- The Philippines is digitally connecting health facilities nationwide.
- Uzbekistan is digitizing processes to reduce workloads by 30%.
- Sierra Leone aims for every citizen to access quality primary care within five kilometers, constructing 300 new facilities and equipping 1,800 with solar power and digital connectivity.
- Improving Financial Protection: This involves increasing public health spending and expanding insurance coverage. For example:
- Kenya will double public health spending over five years to reach 5% of GDP and expand social health insurance coverage from 26% to 85%, with full subsidies for vulnerable populations.
- Morocco will extend mandatory health insurance to an additional 22 million people.
- Strengthening the Health Workforce: This includes digitally enabling the workforce and investing in training and education. For example:
- Ethiopia will equip at least 40% of primary health centers with digital tools.
- Saint Lucia is investing in a skilled, digitally enabled workforce.
- Boosting regional manufacturing of health products and technologies:
- Nigeria will train 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotech professionals, create Centers of Excellence, and offer tax incentives to expand local production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies.
Supporting Country Priorities Through Partnerships and Financing
To make this ambitious goal a reality, coordinated support is crucial. The World Bank Group, Gavi, and the Global Fund have announced aligned financing, including $2 billion co-financed with each institution. Philanthropic partners are also stepping up, aiming to mobilize up to $410 million in support. Japan, the United Kingdom, and others are providing technical assistance.
To facilitate knowledge sharing, the Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub has been launched. This hub will support countries with practical, evidence-based solutions and peer learning.
And this is the part most people miss...The Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum, co-hosted by the Government of Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group, brought together key players to discuss these crucial initiatives.
The countries that launched National Health Compacts are: Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia.
What do you think? Are these compacts a viable solution? Do you believe the goals are achievable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
