UHC drives progress across all of the SDGs

At the 2025 HLPF, world leaders and stakeholders came together to review progress on the 2030 Agenda and confront the intersecting crises of our time: poverty, inequality, climate emergencies, global instability and underfunded essential services. Amid these challenges, health stands out as both a barometer of progress and a catalyst for transformation. 

This year’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) took place from 14 through 23 July with the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind.” It included an in-depth review of SDGs 3 (Good health and well-being), 5 (Gender equality), 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and 14 (Life below water) and the presentation of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) from 35 countries. 

Given the focus on health through the in-depth SDG3 review, UHC2030 and partners set out to make the case that health, and universal health coverage (UHC) in particular, drives progress across all of the SDGs through its “What’s health got to do with it? Everything.” social media campaign. In the lead-up to and during the HLPF proceedings, we urged decision-makers to #InvestInHealth for sustainable development.  

Given the joint focus on health and gender equality, we also seized the opportunity to launch our new Strategic narrative to drive advocacy and action on gender-responsive health systems in an official side event co-hosted with the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism, Women in Global Health, Women Deliver, The Alliance for Gender Equality and UHC, the Partnerships for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). The narrative provides advocacy messages and targeted actions to influence decision-makers, close the gap between commitments and implementation, and ensure gender equality is embedded at the heart of health system strengthening for UHC.  

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At the HLPF closing, we welcomed the ministerial declaration, which highlighted that:  

• Investing in resilient and equitable health systems based on PHC is essential to leaving no one behind
• Strengthening international cooperation to improve health financing is critical to uphold the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health
• Supporting partnership and social participation initiatives is key to ensuring access to quality essential health services
• Achieving UHC will unlock progress across all of the SDGs, from eradicating poverty to gender equality, economic growth and life below water.  

Access the HLPF recordings 

Below are some highlights of the SDG 3 session and our review of health-related updates in the VNRs presented this year. 

SDG 3 session overview 

The SDG 3 review revealed the need for urgent action. Despite important signs of progress, including reduced maternal and infant mortality rates and increased immunization coverage, fewer than 10% of SDG 3 targets are on track. Moreover, 2 billion people continue to face financial hardship from health costs, and 3.3 billion people – more than 40% of the world’s population – live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on health.

Stakeholders agreed that, to safeguard critical gains and overcome strains in global health financing, countries should prioritize achieving UHC through strong primary health care (PHC), which can contribute to 75% of the projected health gains from the SDGs. The session also underscored the need to scale up innovation and digital health and to reform global health financing architecture in alignment with the Lusaka Agenda and the newly-adopted WHA78 Resolution on Strengthening Health Financing Globally.  

During the session, Dr Magda Robalo, co-chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee, emphasized that we cannot solve today’s problems with yesterday’s tools. She urged governments to advance UHC and build systems that are resilient to future shocks by: 

• Transitioning to more sustainable models of health financing, ensuring financial protection to shield people from impoverishing health costs
• Embedding high-impact interventions into essential benefit packages within primary health care, prioritizing the most vulnerable
• Promoting gender-responsive health systems
• Strengthening science, evidence and people-centered innovation
• Reforming global health and financial architecture, grounded in global solidarity and international cooperation  

UHC2030’s review of health and UHC progress in the 2025 VNRs  

Angola:  

“The implementation of structural reforms in the financing of the health system opens new prospects for improving the quality of services.” 

Angola’s 2025 VNR shows that sustained investment in health can deliver real progress if equity and financing challenges are addressed head-on. Maternal mortality fell from 239 (2015–16) to 170 per 100,000 live births (2023–24). Yet malaria remains the #1 cause of illness & death, with 340 cases per 1,000 people in 2024. Structural barriers such as rural access gaps continue to block further gains, and the health system still struggles with essential medicine shortages and underpaid, overburdened health workers. Current spending—just 2% of GDP on health—is not enough to sustain improvements or reach SDG 3. Angola is responding with a new funding model for the National Health Service, increased recruitment of health workers, and improved health governance and management of essential medicines and medical products. Read the report here.  

Bangladesh:  

“The country aims to champion a whole-of- society approach, fostering public-private partnerships while engaging civil society, community organisations, academia and the youth in co-creating solutions.”  

Bangladesh’s 2025 VNR reflects a powerful turning point. Following the historic youth-led uprising of 2024, the country is embracing democracy, transparency and inclusive development with renewed determination. The interim government is committed to co-creating solutions with civil society, youth, academia and local communities, signaling a bold shift toward a whole-of-society approach to sustainable development. In particular, Bangladesh is taking action to achieve universal health coverage through its 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme, and expanding the SSK (a pilot non-contributory health protection scheme) to increase access for people living in poverty. Although maternal and child mortality are down, important gaps persist: 

Out-of-pocket health costs account for a staggering 73% of total health spending, forcing many to risk poverty or delay or forgo care 

• Health spending remains under 1% of GDP
• Essential service coverage remains stagnant at 52% (the same as in 2016)
• 30% of youth report limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, with mental and reproductive health services remaining largely neglected 

To address these gaps, the newly formed Health Sector Reform Commission is pushing reforms to: 

• Expand primary health care access
• Launch health insurance for informal workers
• Scale up public health financing 

Read the report here. 

Belarus:  

“Every Belarusian has access to all types of medical care, free of charge... with special attention paid to rural areas.” 

Belarus’s 2025 VNR highlights a robust and inclusive healthcare system, with universal access to all levels of medical care, free of charge. According to its report: 

• Primary care is available in every settlement
• Targeted training and housing incentives ensure doctor availability exceeds that of several high-income countries
• Maternal, infant and child mortality rates are among the lowest in the world
• Health spending is approximately 5% of GDP, with a strong emphasis on rural equity and workforce retention 

Read the report here.

Bhutan:  

“[Bhutan’s] commitment to achieving universal health coverage has played a key role in ensuring that maternal and child health services are accessible to women and children across the nation, particularly in rural areas. Bhutan’s strong health system, based on the Primary Health Care approach, along with policies that prioritise maternal and child health and well-being, has resulted in notable achievements, such as high antenatal care coverage and a decline in maternal and infant mortality rates.” 

Bhutan’s 2025 VNR highlights significant progress in health thanks to a participatory, whole-of-society approach, a strong foundation in primary health care, and a national commitment to UHC. However, challenges remain: 

• Rising burdens of NCDs, mental health, and alcohol/substance abuse  
• Gaps in health service quality, especially for maternal and newborn care
• Waning external funding 

Read the report here. 

Bulgaria: 

“Increased investment in education and healthcare is equipping future generations to face the challenges of tomorrow.” 

Bulgaria’s 2025 VNR highlights major progress toward UHC, while also confronting key threats to health equity and sustainability. 

• Strong public investment is driving expanded access to essential health services.  
• Targeted programs are improving maternal and child health, with maternal mortality dropping to 7.1 deaths per 100,000 live births and under-5 mortality reaching 6.1, far below global targets.  
• Innovative outreach like mobile medical units and telemedicine are tackling geographic and mobility barriers to care.  
• The health workforce remains strong, with medical personnel density exceeding the EU average in most categories, although recent declines in nurse numbers remain a concern. 

Despite progress, preventable mortality surged to 685.1 per 100,000 in 2021, underscoring persistent risk factors. High rates of smoking and alcohol use, especially among youth, also demand urgent public health intervention. Read the report here. 

Czech Republic: 

“Availability of health services is a key to a quality health care system. With the public health insurance in the Czech Republic, access to a wide range of services is provided to citizens [with an emphasis on] prevention and early diagnosis.” 

Czechia’s 2025 VNR underscores a strong social foundation built on UHC. Access to healthcare is broad, thanks to public health insurance and a strong prevention-first approach. However: 

• Rural areas face longer wait times and limited transport
• There are important shortages of general practitioners, nurses, and child and adolescent psychiatrists
• The aging health workforce is a growing concern 

Long-term reductions in mortality from NCDs reflect health gains, yet chronic illnesses still drive avoidable deaths. And an aging population, underfunded social services and regional inequalities threaten sustainability of care systems, particularly in underserved areas. Read the report here.

Dominican Republic: 

“Intergenerational social justice requires investing in health not only as public spending, but as a guarantee of rights, social cohesion and sustainable development. In this framework, health must be integrated in a transversal way in all public policies, from environmental protection to urban planning, employment and education, recognizing its role as a cornerstone of collective well-being and the interdependence that exists between health policy and all other policies.” 

Dominican Republic’s 2025 VNR shows strong national leadership on universal health coverage, with 97% of the population now covered thanks to the Family Health Insurance system. This includes a growing subsidized regime that’s helping to eliminate economic barriers to care. 

• The country’s National Heal Plan (PLANDES 2030) lays out a vision for people-centered, equitable, and resilient healthcare, backed by broad national consultations.
• Strategic reforms are underway to improve digital health, service quality, and local accountability, with 44 citizen health oversight commissions already active.
• DR was also the first country to sign the Alliance for Primary Health Care, signaling its commitment to tackling NCDs and strengthening front-line services. 

But challenges persist. Out-of-pocket spending on health is still high, mainly due to spending on medicines. Moreover, public health spending is still under 2% of GDP, and territorial and income-related disparities endure. Read the report here.

El Salvador: 

“The country has deepened a structural reform in the primary health care system, which had begun more than a decade ago, but which is now being strengthened with a significant investment in renovation and construction of hospital infrastructure... This process seeks to consolidate an integrated health system, which encompasses everything from health promotion and preventive medicine in communities and homes, to timely, continuous and quality care at all levels of the national health system.” 

El Salvador’s 2025 VNR shows meaningful strides toward a more equitable and resilient health system based on a primary health care approach. Progress includes: 

• Increased affiliation to the public contributory health system (from 233 to 269 per 1,000 between 2015 and 2023)
• Expansion of health units in high-need and remote areas
• 84,000+ services delivered to historically excluded communities 

Yet challenges remain: 

• Growing burden of NCDs (CVD, cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease)
• Gaps in family planning and mental health
• Fragmentation and access gaps in primary care 

Read the report here.

Eswatini: 

“A healthier population is more productive, contributing to economic growth and further job creation.”  

Eswatini’s 2025 VNR recognizes the central role of health in economic growth and stability, illustrating progress as well as pressing challenges on the path to universal health coverage. Thanks to global partnerships and strategic investments in health systems strengthening, Eswatini has seen: 

• A decline in under-5 mortality
• More births attended by skilled health workers
• Stronger efforts against HIV, TB and malaria
• Reduced out-of-pocket spending for primary health care 

But challenges remain, from increasing NCD incidence to families risking poverty due to costly essential medicines and vaccines and reliance on external funding, with 46% of the country’s official development assistance going to health. Read the report here.  

Ethiopia: 

“For millions of rural families, the [Community-Based Health Insurance] program has removed the fear of catastrophic health costs, enabling timely access to care, including maternal and child services, non-communicable disease treatment, and preventive health care. Households once excluded from the formal insurance market are now protected by a locally owned, government-supported scheme, aligned directly with Ethiopia’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) roadmap and several SDG 3 targets.” 

Ethiopia’s 2025 VNR demonstrates bold strides toward UHC through community-led innovation and inclusive health financing. The country has scaled up its Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme to protect informal sector and rural populations from catastrophic health costs. Key achievements include: 

• 53 million people (46% of the population) covered, including the informal sector and rural populations
• Sharp decline in out-of-pocket health spending among member households thanks to domestic public financing contributions
• Increased access to maternal, child, and outpatient services in underserved areas 

But challenges remain: persistent regional disparities and rising NCD burdens require sustained investment and integrated programming. Read the report here. 

Finland: 

“On a global scale, the overall status of healthcare and access to health services in Finland is good. Clear progress has been made with regard to reducing mortality and preventing communicable diseases. Civil society organisations have contributed to and played a substantial role in multistakeholder health sector competence centres.” 

Finland’s 2025 VNR shows that its health system is strong, but cracks are growing. Recent cuts to social protection and rising user fees are undermining equity and deepening health disparities, and civil society warns that the price of getting sick in Finland is becoming too high for too many. What’s working: 

• Strong vaccination and pharmaceutical coverage
• Progress in reducing mortality and communicable diseases
• Civil society playing a critical role in service delivery, monitoring and innovation 

But health equity is under threat due to: 

• Cuts to health reimbursements
• Increases in client fees for care
• Facility closures and staff shortages
• Growing barriers for older people, rural residents and migrants  
• Declining resources 

Read the report here.  

Gambia (The): 

“The National Health Policy serves as The Gambia’s long-term vision for transforming its health system into one that is equitable, efficient, resilient, and aligned with UHC. It articulates core policy priorities, including health system strengthening, governance reform, health financing, and improved access to essential services.” 

The Gambia’s 2025 VNR reflects a health system that is actively working toward equity, resilience and UHC. The government is rolling out major reforms to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve adolescent health, and strengthen service delivery in line with the National Health Policy (2021–2030) and Strategic Plan (2021–2025). Key initiatives include: 

• Launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme to reduce out-of-pocket health spending and improve financial protection
• Investments in health worker training and infrastructure
• Digital innovations to improve service delivery and data use
• Specialized medical education for nurses, pharmacists and doctors 

But progress on SDG 3 remains stagnant, and household out-of-pocket spending rose to 26% in 2021, highlighting urgent gaps in access and equity. Read the report here.  

Germany: 

“Strengthening health, education, equality, social justice and decent employment for the long term establishes the basis for everyone to play an active and self-determined role in shaping the sustainable transformation.” 

Germany’s 2025 VNR introduces the German Sustainable Development Strategy, which links national action to global outcomes and reflects the country’s ambition to make transformation participatory and socially compatible. The country aims to strengthen public health through health promotion, prevention and care. Initiatives include: 

• A New Federal Institute of Public Health to enable targeted, evidence-based health promotion
• A Health Literacy Roadmap to boost public health
• Efforts to address the health challenges associated with climate change adaptation and mitigation
• The prioritization of the One Health approach, which emphasizes addressing human, animal and environmental health on an integrated basis 

Read the report here.  

Ghana: 

“The introduction and expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been a major driver of financial risk protection and increased access to health services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children under five, pregnant women, and the older persons… Expanding coverage for essential health services under NHIS and enhancing the quality of care at all levels will be critical to ensure that no one is left behind on the path to universal health coverage.” 

Ghana’s 2025 VNR shows steady but uneven progress toward UHC.  

• Its UHC Service Coverage Index has increased steadily to 50 in 2021, though it is still far from the SDG target of 80 by 2030.  
• Its National Health Insurance Scheme has been a major driver of financial risk protection and increased access to health services, particularly for vulnerable groups
• Health worker density has improved nationally, surpassing WHO’s minimum threshold

However, geographic disparities and service delivery gaps persist, particularly in remote and underserved regions, and access to essential services, especially for NCDs and mental health, remains limited. Read the report here.

Guatemala: 

“We underscore the need to strengthen decentralization, ensure real mechanisms of participation, and increase public investment with a territorial and human rights approach.”  

Guatemala’s 2025 VNR shows meaningful strides in reducing maternal and infant mortality and organizing health services across the country, even amid pandemic recovery. It also emphasizes the importance of meaningful civil society participation – including Indigenous leadership – and renewed international cooperation. But deep inequalities persist. Rural, indigenous and low-income communities still face significant barriers to accessing health care. With public health spending averaging just 1.29% of GDP and over 60% of health costs falling on households, universal health coverage (UHC) remains out of reach for many. Reliance on external funding and out-of-pocket payments also threatens sustainability. Read the VNR report here.

India: 

“India’s policies in the healthcare sector aim to deliver universal health services at affordable rates. These interventions have contributed to reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality rates as well as under-five mortality rates.” 

India’s 2025 VNR shows transformative progress in healthcare by expanding access, improving infrastructure, and reducing mortality rates. Key achievements include:  

• A decrease in out-of-pocket health expenditure from 48.8% to 39.4%
• Improved access to comprehensive #PrimaryHealthCare through new health and wellness centers
• Significant declines in maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality rates 

India is also now home to the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme, covering 550 million people from vulnerable populations. But challenges remain, from rising #NCD burdens and ageing population to persistent shortages of healthcare workers in remote areas. Read the report here. 

Indonesia:  

“Public health is a crucial foundation in realizing the vision of the Golden Indonesia 2045. In this context, achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which now reaches more than 98 percent of the population, is a key strength in building a healthy and productive society.” 

Indonesia’s 2025 VNR shows that bold health reforms are delivering results, but sustainability challenges remain. 

• National Health Insurance (JKN) now covers 98.8% of the population
• Health is a central pillar of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision
• Infant mortality dropped to 16.85 per 1,000 live births 

And yet out-of-pocket costs remain high, especially in underserved and remote regions; Maternal and child health service use under JKN is below 50%; and 5.2% of the population still faces unmet healthcare needs. Limited access to basic services for poor and vulnerable communities and disparities in infrastructure and services between urban and rural areas also challenge progress. Read the report here. 

Iraq: 

“[The Iraqi Health Insurance Law No. 22 of 2020] aims to expand insurance coverage, enhance equity, protect citizens from catastrophic health expenditures, and improve healthcare service quality. Specific goals include expanding individual health insurance, reducing poverty, and integrating statistical and geospatial information systems.” 

Iraq’s 2025 VNR underscores growing momentum toward #UniversalHealthCoverage (UHC), anchored by legislative reforms, expanded public health services, and greater investment in health infrastructure. Progress includes: 

• Increase of government health spending from 11.3% to 12.6% of total public expenditure (2021–2023)
• Implementation of the 2020 Health Insurance Law No. 22 to reduce health-related poverty, improve service quality and expand coverage
• Strengthened maternal and child health, #PrimaryHealthCare, chronic disease management, and digital health integration, with a focus on vulnerable groups

Yet challenges persist, with disparities in health service availability across provinces and 51% of health costs being covered by individuals (2019). Read the report here.

Japan:  

“The Japanese government has built a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) [system] where all people can enjoy basic health care services when necessary, at an affordable cost. Through the national health insurance system, Japan has achieved the world's highest levels of life expectancy at birth and healthcare standards.” 

Japan’s 2025 VNR reaffirms that #UniversalHealthCoverage contributes to longer, healthier lives. Since 1961, Japan’s #UHC system has helped create the world’s healthiest, longest-living society. In 2023, healthy life expectancy reached 72.6 years for men and 75.5 for women, outpacing gains in overall lifespan. Japan is also contributing to #UHC progress worldwide by: 

• Advocating for equitable access to care
• Investing in innovation and preparedness
• Promoting human resource development for achieving UHC worldwide through a new UHC Knowledge Hub 

But national gaps remain, particularly in terms of access barriers for vulnerable and marginalized populations and adapting to the physical and mental changes that come with an aging population that is progressing ahead of the rest of the world. Read the report here. 

Kazakhstan: 

“As part of achieving sustainable development, the main directions of [Kazakhstan’s] activities are the promotion of public health, as well as the development of a sustainable, inclusive and patient-oriented health care system.” 

Kazakhstan’s 2025 VNR highlights health progress and persistent inequalities. From expanding telemedicine to cutting neonatal mortality by 24%, Kazakhstan is advancing a sustainable, inclusive and patient-oriented healthcare system. Key achievements include: 

• Ranking among the top 10 countries reducing maternal mortality
• Increasing in teleconsultations fivefold
• Building almost 92 new rural clinics built and creating over 1,600 health jobs in 2023 alone 

But challenges remain:  

• Premature death from NCDs above the regional average
• Strong gender disparities in NCD mortality (29.5% for men versus 18.5% for women)
• Marked rural-urban divide in health workforce and access 

Moreover, a civil society assessment published in the report alerts that rural-urban gaps, weak prevention, and limited support for mental, reproductive and adolescent health remain key challenges that are exacerbated by environmental risks and poor social-health integration. Read the report here.

Kyrgyz Republic:  

“Ensuring fair and equitable access to primary health care for all population groups remains a core principle, directly contributing to improved health outcomes and advancing Universal Health Coverage.”  

Kyrgyz Republic’s 2025 VNR showcases powerful strides toward equity and resilience: 

• Expansion of primary health care coverage
• Strengthened social protection, especially in rural areas
• Reduction of tobacco use by 29% through policy and& tax reforms
• Development of digital tracking tools to enable data-driven, transparent governance 

But challenges remain. Public spending on health, education and social protection is declining, and NCDs remain the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 80% of all deaths. Recognizing that tackling poverty requires sustained investment in healthcare, the Kyrgyz Republic is now focused on reforming health financing for long-term sustainability and equity and strengthening UHC through quality, accessible primary health care for all. Read the report here.

Lesotho:    

“While emergency preparedness and essential medicines availability improved, only 54% have access to essential services and 51% face catastrophic health spending, underlining the need for stronger systems to reach Universal Health Coverage.” 

Lesotho’s 2025 VNR shows the country is making strides in health, but challenges remain on the path to UHC. Progress highlights include: 

• Declining maternal, child and neonatal mortality  
• HIV incidence halved since 2017
• Improved access to reproductive health and family planning coverage 

However, challenges persist:  

• 51% of households face catastrophic health costs
• Only 54% of households have access to essential services
• Immunization coverage has declined
• Health worker density and rural service quality remain inadequate 

Read the report here.

Malaysia:  

“Through greater policy coherence, stakeholder engagement and a whole-of-nation approach, the government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind.” 

Malaysia’s 2025 VNR highlights a bold commitment to strengthen its health system through long-term reforms outlined in the 15-year Health White Paper. However, under-investment remains a major challenge. With only 4.1% of GDP spent on health (vs. 7.4% avg. in other upper-middle income countries) and out-of-pocket payments reaching 34.2% of health expenditure, too many Malaysians—especially low- and middle-income families—risk financial hardship when seeking care. Moreover, gaps in funding, workforce shortages and rural-urban disparities threaten health equity and resilience. Read the VNR report here. 

Malta: 

“Malta’s integrated approach to health and well-being illustrates how progress on SDG 3 serves as a catalyst for broader sustainable development. By leveraging interlinkages and addressing tradeoffs thoughtfully, Malta ensures that its health achievements contribute to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.”  

Malta’s 2025 VNR highlights a participatory path to health and sustainability, driven by inclusive dialogue, community ownership and a whole-of-society approach. From interest-influence mapping to youth-led chapters, Malta’s VNR process sets a strong standard for stakeholder engagement, ensuring no voice is left behind. A dedicated SDG Youth Meetup and campaigns boosted awareness and action. Health progress includes: 

• Increased coverage of essential health services
• Expansion of telemedicine and community-based primary health care
• Increased health worker density 

But some challenges persist. The percentage of people facing impoverishing health costs rose slightly, from 14.4% to 14.7%. There is also a need to reduce the burden of NCDs, improve care for older people, upgrade healthcare infrastructure, strengthen cancer care, and establish outreach clinics. Read the report here. 

Federated States of Micronesia:  

“Health is a system-wide accelerator — impacting education, productivity, and equity. FSM must double down on local innovation, data use, and inclusive delivery to ensure no one is left behind.”  

Listing UHC as a strategic priority, the Federated States of Micronesia’s 2025 VNR highlights that community-driven health is central to resilience. FSM is charting a people-first path to #UHC focused on: 

• Community-led care and traditional leadership
• Bringing services to remote islands
• Digital and mobile innovations expanding access 

The country’s efforts have resulted in improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, vaccination coverage (70%) and healthcare access (84%), with a focus on the most marginalized communities. But barriers persist, with: 

Fragmented systems and inconsistent delivery across states 

• Health worker shortages and high turnover
• Limited mental health services
• High NCD burden and youth tobacco use
• No national surveillance for NCDs or suicide
• Limited access to essential health services, particularly in outer islands

Read the report here.

Nigeria: 

“Ongoing initiatives to address Nigeria's high out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure focus on expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening primary healthcare, improving health financing mechanisms, and promoting sustainable domestic investments.” 

Nigeria’s 2025 VNR reveals a stark health emergency with poor health outcomes:  

• Maternal mortality has soared to 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births—over 10 times the SDG target—while newborn and child mortality rates remain alarmingly high.
• Essential maternal, newborn, and child health services are faltering, and quality indicators like tetanus coverage and iron supplementation remain far below targets.  
• 75% of health expenditures were funded through out-of-pocket payments in 2023, placing the burden on families and making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest share of household health expenditures in the world. 

But Nigeria is responding with bold reforms: 

• The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act mandates health coverage for all  
• Increased budgetary commitments at both federal and sub-national levels, including earmarking funds under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund
• The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is scaling up free, frontline care for the most vulnerable.  
• Through the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, over 2,100 primary health centers have already been upgraded, with thousands more to follow.  
• States like Kaduna are pioneering financing models that aim to cut out-of-pocket costs by 50%. 

Read the report here.

Papua New Guinea: 

“[Papua New Guinea] has made commendable progress in advancing SDG 3 despite systemic challenges such as geographic isolation, limited resources, and workforce shortages. The National Health Plan 2021–2030 has played a crucial role in laying the foundation for universal health coverage (UHC), emphasizing people-centred care, prevention, and service integration across all levels of the healthcare system.”  

Papua New Guinea is fighting for health equity and making vital progress. The country is turning commitments into action through its National Health Plan, which focuses on strengthening health systems to ensure sustainable service delivery at the primary health care level. Progress includes: 

• Fewer maternal and child deaths, underweight children, adolescent pregnancies and poisonings
• Improved digital health surveillance  
• Expanded reach of immunization, breastfeeding and nutrition programs 

But the fight isn’t over. Health facilities are under-resourced, under-staffed and under strain. What’s more, systemic poverty, workforce shortages and geographic isolation continue to hinder equity. To address these challenges, Papua New Guinea is focusing on expanding access and enhancing service delivery by investing in rural health infrastructure, health workforce recruitment and training, and climate-resilient and inclusive health infrastructure. Read the report here.

The Philippines: 

“The Philippines remains committed to ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all Filipinos across all ages. To reverse the country’s decelerating progress in health, the country has been strengthening the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.” 

The Philippines’ 2025 #VNR shows that the country is fighting to reverse setbacks in health while pushing forward with UHC. To reverse its decelerating progress in health, the country is strengthening the implementation of its Universal Health Care Act, which ensures equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare while providing financial risk protection. As a result: 

• Over 27.8 million Filipinos now benefit from primary care and access to essential medicines
• The PuroKalusugan primary health care program addresses community-specific health needs in hard-to-reach areas   
• The Health Facilities Enhancement Program is contributing to the creation of new health facilities and the provision of financial assistance to patients  
• PHP194.62 million have been allocated for funding for UHC-related research
• Decision makers are working to strengthen local health governance through three dimensions: leadership and governance for health, the Special Health Fund, and the Local Investment Plan for Health 

But challenges remain, with growing disease burdens and uneven progress. Read the report here. 

Qatar: 

“Qatar continued to strengthen national healthcare systems by prioritizing disease prevention, expanding universal health coverage, and ensuring that SDG 3 is embedded across broader economic and social development agendas to drive sustainable and inclusive health outcomes that contribute to national prosperity and societal well-being.” 

Qatar’s 2025 VNR highlights important progress toward achieving #UniversalHealthCoverage and #SDG3 through sustained political will, high public investment, and strategic reforms.  

• In 2024, 11% of national budget was allocated to healthcare, representing one of the highest levels of health investment in the region
• 80 to 90% of essential medicine costs are covered by government subsidies
• Life expectancy has reached 81.6 years, among the highest in the region
• 99.6% of the population is covered by UHC
• The proportion of the target population covered by essential health services increased from 67.3 in 2020 to 73.4 in 2023
• Mandatory coverage was extended to non-citizen residents and visitors  

Guided by national strategies, Qatar continues to prioritize disease prevention, integrated care, and digital innovation. Read the report here.

Saint Lucia:  

“The Government of Saint Lucia is committed to health care interventions that will improve citizens’ access to quality services. These include the upgrading of health facilities to ensure climate resilience, revision of the National Policy for Older Persons and the identification of sustainable financing mechanisms to support Universal Health Care.”  

Saint Lucia’s 2025 VNR shows that bold investments in health can save lives and transform futures. 

• Child mortality dropped from 15.9 to 8.7 per 1,000 live births (2019–2020)
• Maternal mortality fell to zero in 2020
• HIV transmission from mother to child was eliminated 

In 2024, Saint Lucia and partners also invested $22M in a 4-year Health System Strengthening Project aimed at closing gaps, improving detection rates and monitoring facilities. However, NCDs remain a top cause of death, and 42.5% of the population is still uninsured. Read the report here.

Seychelles: 

“A healthy population is the foundation for economic growth, reducing intergenerational burdens, and securing a better future for all… Universal health coverage, which provides all residents with free access to a full range of health services within the public sector at the point of use, is one of the country’s greatest accomplishments.” 

Seychelles’ 2025 VNR confirms that health is a constitutional right and a national priority. With a UHC index of 0.82 in 2023, Seychelles offers free, equitable care at the point of use, from local clinics to overseas referrals when needed. Through a national strategy that emphasizes revitalizing the “Health-in-All Policies” framework, Seychelles has achieved: 

• Strong maternal and child health outcomes
• Expanded specialist and digital services
• Integrated climate and health planning under the #OneHealth approach
• Investment in mental health, aging care and pandemic preparedness 

But critical gaps persist in service quality, equity, health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Read the report here.

Sudan:  

“The mission… is achieving SDGs of the healthcare system [health-related SDGs] through working, cooperating and coordinating with all stakeholders by implementing a policy of integrating health into all policies and contributing to achieving and preserving peace.” 

Sudan’s 2025 VNR lays bare the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the health system and sustainable development goals. More than 30% of hospitals have been damaged, with lifesaving vaccines and medicines destroyed. The health system is overwhelmed by displacement, disease outbreaks, and a rise in maternal, child and NCD mortality. Despite this, Sudan’s Ministry of Health has launched a National Health Recovery and Reform Policy focused on universal health coverage, primary care, epidemic preparedness, and community-level services to reach the most vulnerable. Read the report here.

Suriname: 

“Although the health sector has faced significant pressures, the Government is making ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, invest in human resources, and expand access to essential services.” 

Suriname’s 2025 VNR shows that the country is stepping up for SDG3 – Good Health & Well-Being. Despite the pressures on its health system, the government is: 

• Expanding maternal and newborn care
• Advancing sexual and reproductive health
• Rehabilitating health centers
• Investing in medicine and vaccine supply chains, with a focus on ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines and vaccines
• Strengthening digital health information systems 

But challenges persist, including: 

• Health financing and resource inefficiencies
• Brain drain affecting care quality
• Infrastructural gaps in rural areas
• Inadequate health data systems 

Climate change is also compounding access issues in interior regions. Read the report here. 

Thailand:  

“Ensuring health coverage for the Thai population has long been a key policy priority of the Royal Thai Government. Since 2002, Thailand has implemented a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system that ensures coverage for all Thai citizens. This system has significantly reduced the burden of out-of-pocket health expenditures, expanded the range of public health services, and improved access to quality care, including health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. As a result, unmet health needs in Thailand are minimal—comparable to those in high-income countries—and household health expenditures have declined accordingly.” 

Thailand’s 2025 VNR highlights two decades of progress towards UHC, showing how sustained investment, strong political will and people-centered policies can transform lives. Since 2002, Thailand’s UHC scheme has dramatically reduced out-of-pocket costs, especially in rural areas. Today: 

• 99% of the population is covered
• Catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending is just 1.6%
• 10,000+ community health centers strengthen access to primary health care 

But new challenges loom. An aging population and rising AMR and infectious disease risks are expected to place increased pressure on the health workforce and social protection systems. Read the report here.