28-Oct-15 Healthcare funding provided by Russia's Sverdlovsk Region as part of the obligatory medical insurance package might be reduced 14% to RUB3.8 bn in 2016. The healthcare sector is reported to be on the brink of collapsing, and some clinics might simply go bankrupt. [image: Quartz]

27-Oct-15 MMK757 bn (USD592 mn) has been allocated for health spending in Myanmar this fiscal year, a 7% increase. The funds will be earmarked for the purchase of advanced medical equipment, and free medical treatment for government employees. The government has also committed to training 5,600 clinicians and 1,300 nurses to help to bridge the shortage of medical professionals. [image: Myanmar Business Today]

19-Oct-15 Korea's "Third Basic Plan on Low Fertility and Aging Society” is intended to raise the country’s fertility rate from 1.2 to 1.5 by 2020. The plan includes housing assistance measures for the younger generation and the newly married. Medical expenses relating to pregnancy are to be reduced, and medical procedures for fertility are to be covered by national health insurance. [image: Business Korea]

22-Oct-15 China's recently-announced reform of county-level hospitals is seriously underfunded, according to experts. Fudan University professor Hu Shanlian said "Now that hospitals are no longer allowed to mark up drugs, the drop in their revenue is huge". Hospitals are expected to raise service fees to compensate, however this may also raise expenses for patients, defeating the purpose of the reforms. [image: South China Morning Post]

16-Oct-15 Hong Kong's Hospital Authority has narrowly averted a specialist doctor manpower crisis by raising their retirement age from 60 to 65. Under a scheme costing HKD570 mn (USD74 mn), 60 out of 100 doctors who were to retire this year will continue their service. Serving 90% of patients with only 40% of doctors, Hong Kong's public hospitals are chronically understaffed. [image: SCMP]