Project News

23-25 January 2019, Yokohama, Japan

The WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre; WKC) organized the workshop, in collaboration with Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This is a part of WKC's UHC research programme.

WKC strategy for 2016-26 is to conduct research and synthesize evidence about health systems and innovations, particularly in light of demographic changes and population aging, to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), As a part of its research programme, the WKC is partnering with the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) to carry out research on price setting in health care to advance public-private collaborations. Reasonable pricing of health service and products is important for the attainment of sustainable financing of health systems, containment of costs, and therefore, attainment of UHC.

Nine case studies from 9 counties (Australia, England, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Thailand, USA-State of Maryland) within this project and were invited to a three-day meeting. The experts from WHO/EURO, WHO/WPRO.WHO/SEARO, OECD, WKC and Kanagawa Prefectural Government are also participated in to this meeting to discuss and formulate common understanding of policy and practice implication and continuing research gaps resulting from this work.

Thailand case study was presented on Budgeting and Payment Setting: Thai UC Scheme byThailand team which consist of Dr.Walaiporn Patcharanarumol Director, International Health Policy Program Foundation (IHPP), Ms waraporn Suwanwela and Dr.Nantawan Kesthom from National Health Security Office (NHSO) and Ms Shaheda Viriyathorn from IHPP. The last 2 persons were supported by JICA under The Partnership Project for Global Health and Universal Health Coverage. Thailand team were invited to share experience of Thailand on price setting and price negotiations on universal health scheme , providing reflections from MICs on the learning from the experiences of OECD countries and discussing among 2 panel discussion (The realities of price negotiation, How does price setting and regulation ensure fiscal sustainability; guarantee revenue to providers; increase efficiency; improve quality and care coordination; foster innovation and protect affordability of health care to individuals?)

The opening remark was conducted by Dr Sarah Louise Barber, Director, WHO Kobe Centre – WKC and the welcome remark was given by Mr Yuji Kuroiwa, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture. There are 9 case studies presentation,3 special lecture ,3 panel discussion and Roundtable discussion series: topics arising from the case studies.