Stronger health systems do more than save lives. They create jobs, boost economies, and open the door to new opportunities. Around the world, countries are setting ambitious goals to expand access to health services, and the World Bank Group and global partners are helping to turn those goals into action.
At the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum in Tokyo, Japan, global leaders came together to share what’s working, exchange innovations, and mobilize support for reforms that strengthen health systems and unlock job-rich growth.
Here are 5 things to know about how countries and partners are accelerating progress toward reaching more people with better health services:
1. Accelerating Momentum Toward the 1.5 Billion Goal
In April 2024, the World Bank Group announced an ambitious goal:
help countries deliver affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.
Since then, good progress has been made:
- 375 million people have been reached so far.
- Work is ongoing across 45 countries, scaling proven primary care models.
- Efforts focus on expanding access and affordability while creating jobs—from health workers to supply chains to supporting local industries.
2. National Health Compacts: Country-Led, Results-Focused Reform Plans
Countries are developing five-year, government-endorsed National Health Compacts that align Health and Finance ministries behind measurable reforms. These Compacts focus on improving financial protection and expanding digitally-enabled primary care platforms using proven solutions:
- Growing the health workforce
- Modernizing facilities
- Scaling insurance coverage
- Using digital tools to improve service delivery
- Balancing curative and preventive care to tackle non-communicable diseases
Country examples include digitally connecting health facilities in the Philippines, scaling digital primary care and telemedicine in Indonesia, and expanding insurance coverage with subsidies for vulnerable households in Kenya.
3. Why This Matters Now
The 2025 Global Monitoring Report (GMR) sends a clear message: urgency is rising.
- 4.6 billion people still lack essential health services.
- 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to health expenses.
Despite two decades of improvement, progress has slowed. The global effort underway aims to restore momentum, align partners, and accelerate reforms that work at scale.
4. Partnerships and Financing Are Aligning Behind Country Priorities
To help countries implement their Compacts, partners are coordinating financing and technical support:
- The World Bank Group, Gavi, and The Global Fund have announced new partnerships, including $2 billion co-financing with each organization.
- Philanthropic partners are mobilizing up to $410 million - channeled through the Global Financing Facility and the Health System Transformation and Resilience Fund.
- Technical assistance will be provided by Japan, the United Kingdom, and other global partners.
- Seed Global Health is supporting Compact countries through workforce assessments and development initiatives.
This alignment allows countries to invest, reform, and scale improvements faster and more effectively.
5. A New Knowledge Hub to Accelerate Implementation
Transforming health systems requires strong collaboration between health and finance ministries. To support this, a new Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub has been launched in Tokyo—hosted by Japan, the World Bank Group, and WHO.
The Hub provides capacity-building, policy support and knowledge exchange on health financing, equity, and system effectiveness. The first cohort countries include: Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
