Global health financing stands at a crossroads. Amid mounting fiscal constraints, fragmented aid, and widening inequities, a bold reset is urgently needed. At the 2025 World Bank Group Spring Meetings, a high-level roundtable convened Ministers of Finance and Health, private sector leaders, foundations, and civil society from around the world to chart a new path towards better, affordable health services. The shared goal: make health systems work for everyone, everywhere.
Hosted by the World Bank and Wellcome Foundation, the event underscored the need to shift from strategy to action. Anchored in the Bank’s commitment to support 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030, the roundtable set the foundation for a new leadership group to highlight solutions and reforms, mobilize financing, and build stronger, more equitable health systems.
Primary health care as the economic engine
There was consensus that investing in primary health care is not only a moral imperative but an economic one. Strong health systems drive job creation, strengthen human capital, and enhance resilience. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga stressed that countries must strengthen their prioritize smarter spending, workforce training, resilient infrastructure, insurance expansion, supply chain modernization, and supportive regulatory frameworks to enable more private sector investments.
Speakers emphasized that sustainable, country-led financing should replace reactive, fragmented approaches. Health must be seen as an investment in economic growth — not merely a cost center.
Country-led innovations driving impact
Several countries showcased bold, locally driven approaches to advancing UHC.
- Indonesia highlighted a nationwide health screening initiative, backed by $4 billion in World Bank support, with a goal to equip 10,000 primary care centers. The country is also reforming excise taxes and cost-sharing mechanisms to sustain UHC while improving training and fiscal discipline at subnational levels.
- Ethiopia is integrating health with broader development priorities—energy, digital access, and job creation—by investing in rural electrification, digital health infrastructure, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing. A focus on measurable results and blended public-private models reflects a shift toward self-reliance.
- Grenada, representing small island developing states, called for greater recognition of climate-linked health vulnerabilities. With World Bank support, the region is investing in smart, climate-resilient health infrastructure and tackling non-communicable diseases through a new regional initiative.
- Nigeria is capitalizing on fiscal space created by subsidy reforms to scale basic services. A federal-state compact and results-based financing are reaching millions. The country is also fostering a health sector value chain—from manufacturing to digital platforms—projected to generate 500,000 jobs.
- South Africa, leading the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force, emphasized the need for durable investment in preparedness and resilience, urging alignment between finance and health ministries to secure long-term health security.
Multilateral and bilateral partners, such as WHO and the United Kingdom, emphasized the urgent need to support country priorities and strengthen sustainable financing for health. They commended the World Bank’s push for concessional, results-based financing aligned with the Lusaka Agenda and highlighted interlinkages between the investments in health and economic development. Foundations echoed the call for change, advocating a shift from dependency-inducing aid to catalytic investments that empower countries to unlock domestic resources and take charge of their development.
Toward a Shared Roadmap and Implementation
The message from the roundtable was clear — it’s time to deliver and focus on results. Participants called for a concrete implementation roadmap leading into the Universal Health Coverage Forum in Tokyo in December, underpinned by partnerships between governments, multilaterals, the private sector, and civil society.
Japan, a longstanding global health champion, highlighted its experience with universal insurance and managing aging populations. It pledged continued leadership in health financing reform and positioned the upcoming UHC Forum as a critical milestone to strengthen political will and cross-sector collaboration.
The World Bank is tackling the key health system constraints by focusing on proven, cost-effective solutions that can be scaled through lending, policy dialogue, and partnerships. The focus will be on strengthening health care systems based on best practice to enable a broader package of services available to more people, in more places, while reducing financial hardship for individuals and families. Engaging both public and private sectors, creating job opportunities, and scaling investments in digitization and digital technologies will also be critical. Implementation will be pursued through strengthened partnerships with multilateral development banks and regional actors to enhance alignment and mobilize joint financing.
Momentum is already translating into action. The new leadership group of ministers and partners will help champion reforms and scale best practices. Private investors, philanthropies, and global health actors are aligning efforts to provide capital, co-financing, and policy support.
As the World Bank President noted, “We set a target of 1.5 billion because if you don’t aim high, you don’t move far.” With ambition, coordination, and commitment converging, the world is now positioned to turn bold ideas into real impact — building health systems that are inclusive, resilient, and ready for the challenges ahead.
