Health

Between 1980 and 2011 the under-five mortality rate decreased by 80 per cent in the Sultanate of Oman. This progress has been realised, in part, through the Government of Oman’s commitment to universal health care through the development of the National Primary Health Committee (NPHC) in 1985. Primary health care in Oman is managed by the Ministry of Health, which operates 116 health centres, 24 sub-regional hospitals, and 4 national hospitals. 

In 2015 the infant mortality under-five rate in the Republic of South Africa was 40.5 for every 1000 births, a 6.5 decrease from 2011. While infant mortality has decreased in recent years, the Government of the South Africa continues to take important steps to provide access to health care for all citizens. In 2011 it introduced the National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot scheme designed to provide all citizens and residents of South Africa with essential health care regardless of employment status or ability to contribute to the scheme.

Rwanda’s national under-five mortality rate decreased by 56 per cent between 2004 and 2011, with a rate of 41.7 in 2015. This decline has been realised in part through the development of a National Policy for Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme, or Mutuelles de Santé, introduced in 2010 by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to encourage equal access to health care for the informal sector. The Ministry of Health manages 426 Mutuelles de Santé through a decentralized approach relying on existing community-based health structures.

The Republic of Mozambique’s health infrastructure remains limited with more than half of the population residing over one hour walking distance from the nearest health facility. Further, health facilities in Mozambique face frequent shortage in medical supplies, electricity and running water. However, in 2004, the Government of Mozambique adopted a new constitution, which sets the legal framework for addressing these limitations by granting the right to health care to all citizens.

According to the World Bank, the under-five mortality rate in morocco decreased to 27.6 per cent as of 2015 from 33.1 per cent in 2010. This progress has been achieved in part through a system of health insurance schemes aimed to attained universal health coverage in Morocco.

In 2015, the out-of-pocket expenditures on health care decreased to 26.8 per cent. These savings have been realised through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which the Government of the Republic of Ghana launched in 2004. The NHIS is a decentralised insurance scheme that is comprised of a private health insurance scheme, district mutual health insurance scheme (DMHIS), and a non-profit community based scheme.

As of 2016 life expectancy in the Republic of Colombia was 79 years for women and 72.6 years for men. Colombia’s long life expectancy is complemented by relatively low infant mortality before the age of five, at 15.9 in 1000 births. Colombia’s good health can be partly attributed to the Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud, or General System of Social Security in Health (GSSSH), launched by the Government of Colombia in 1993.

In 2014, the life expectancy increased to 79.40 years, with men and women at 77.0 and 81.91 years, respectively, which is above the regional average of 74 years.  Costa Rica’s relatively long life expectancy has been achieved through solid investments in health care dating back to the 1940s. In 1943, the Government of Costa Rica introduced the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which provides insurance including comprehensive health care for all residents.

Peru currently has a life expectancy of 74.5 years, and since the 1990s the under-five mortality rate has decreased by 78.8 from 1990 to 2014. While this improvement in mortality is encouraging, out of pocket expenditures on health care in Peru are relatively high, accounting for 87 per cent of health expenditures in 2011. In order to build on this progress and improve access to health case, the Government of the Republic of Peru adopted provisions in the 1993 Constitution that ensure the right to health care services for all.

In the Republic of Indonesia, out of pocket expenditures on health reached 75.32 per cent in 2015.  In 2002 the Government of Indonesia made fundamental steps to address barriers to health care through amendments to the 1945 Constitution. As a result, the 1945 Constitution now recognizes the right to social security and the responsibility of the State in ensuring access to essential health care for all.