World Bank Group President Ajay Banga warned that countries must look to primary health care not only as a safeguard for public wellbeing but also as a driver of economic opportunity, as governments and partners reported fresh progress towards the institution’s ambition of delivering affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Speaking at the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum in Tokyo, Mr Banga said that nations were “stepping forward with clear priorities” and that aligned action behind proven approaches was beginning to generate visible impact.
The World Bank Group announced that since setting the 1.5 billion target in April 2024, it and its partners have helped countries reach 375 million people with more accessible, affordable care. Work is now under way with about 45 countries to scale established primary care models that strengthen health outcomes while stimulating employment across health workforces, domestic supply chains and supporting industries. The update accompanied the release of the 2025 Global Monitoring Report, which underscored the deepening crisis in global health access: 4.6 billion people still lack essential health services and 2.1 billion face financial hardship because of health expenses. With populations ageing, chronic diseases rising and public finances under strain, governments face widening pressures that have exposed systemic weaknesses in their health systems.
Fifteen countries responded to these challenges in Tokyo by presenting National Health Compacts, five-year reform programmes endorsed at the highest level of government. The Compacts set out practical and measurable steps to expand the reach and quality of primary care, strengthen financial protection and build a more capable and digitally enabled health workforce. By aligning Health and Finance Ministries and providing a clear basis for development partners to organise their support, the Compacts aim to bring coherence to fragmented health reforms and accelerate progress.
Many of the governments detailed how they intend to modernise facilities and improve nationwide digital connectivity. The Philippines is connecting health facilities digitally across the country, while Uzbekistan is digitising administrative processes in a bid to cut workloads by 30 per cent. Sierra Leone has set a target to ensure every citizen can access quality primary care within five kilometres, planning to construct 300 new facilities and equip another 1,800 with solar power and digital infrastructure.
Others highlighted efforts to diversify service delivery. Bangladesh is expanding multi-platform primary care models supported by regulatory updates and digital tools, whereas Indonesia is scaling its digital primary care network by linking more than 600 facilities to hospitals through telemedicine, bringing services closer to patients’ homes and easing pressure on urban hospitals. Workforce development also featured prominently. Ethiopia intends to equip at least 40 per cent of its primary health centres with digital tools to improve clinical care and staff management. Saint Lucia is investing in a more skilled, digitally enabled workforce and reforming regulation and education in partnership with regional bodies.
Several countries outlined substantial measures to reduce the financial burdens that prevent people from seeking care. Kenya announced plans to double public health spending over five years to reach 5 per cent of GDP and expand social health insurance coverage from 26 per cent to 85 per cent, with full subsidies for vulnerable citizens. Morocco said it would extend mandatory health insurance to an additional 22 million people. Nigeria unveiled one of the more ambitious manufacturing strategies, promising to train 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals, establish Centres of Excellence, and offer tax incentives to boost domestic production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies.
The World Bank Group said that sustaining progress towards the 2030 target will depend on effective coordination across the global health community. It announced, together with Gavi and the Global Fund, a commitment to aligned financing that includes US$2 billion co-financed with each institution. Philanthropic partners working through the Global Financing Facility and the Health Systems Transformation and Resilience Fund are seeking to mobilise up to US$410 million to attract significantly larger investments into priority health areas. Seed Global Health is collaborating with Compact countries to support assessments, planning and the development of advanced workforce policies, while Japan, the United Kingdom and other partners are offering technical assistance to ensure countries can execute their reform plans.
In Tokyo, Japan, the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group also launched the Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub to facilitate evidence-based solutions, country learning and the exchange of practical experience between governments. The High-Level Forum, co-hosted by the Government of Japan, WHO and the World Bank Group, brought together health and finance ministers, business leaders, philanthropists, global health agencies and civil society representatives, all underscoring the urgency of reinforcing health systems that have come under strain in recent years.
Mr Banga’s insistence on aligning behind what works captured the mood of the gathering, which sought to move beyond declarations towards concrete action. As countries confront rising health needs and tightening budgets, the push for more resilient and equitable health systems has become not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity—one that the World Bank Group argues must be met with long-term commitment, disciplined reform and coordinated global support.
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