Health systems worldwide are under unprecedented strain from population aging and rising healthcare costs that may threaten national and jurisdictional financial security. Policymakers looking to strengthen healthcare systems are seeking alternative financing mechanisms to provide equitable access to care, which begs the question: Can Private Health Insurance fill the gaps and facilitate health systems to advance Universal Health Coverage? Bringing together a diverse range of speakers representing government, regulators, insurers, academia, and healthcare business community, this critical topic will be discussed at our upcoming Regional Knowledge Event, “Private Health Insurance (PHI) for Sustainable Health Financing to Advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2026, in Hong Kong. This event is organised by the Asia-Pacific Network for Health Systems Strengthening (ANHSS) in collaboration with the Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research at the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Public health financing, either as tax-based systems or Social Health Insurance (SHI), play a critical role in health systems worldwide to ensure broad population coverage and financial protection. In parallel, Private Health Insurance (PHI), purchased by individuals to supplement, complement, or substitute public health financing mechanisms, also contributes to mitigating financial risks and improving access to healthcare. While public financing schemes provide essential coverage, the growing demand for innovative financing solutions has brought increased attention to PHI as a potential tool to support public systems and expand healthcare access. However, how it can play a better role in advancing health system goals and Universal Health Coverage remains a critical question.

Salah satu tujuan sistem kesehatan sebagaimana yang ditetapkan dalam Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) PBB, Target 3.8, adalah Cakupan Kesehatan Semesta (UHC), yang didefinisikan sebagai "akses ke seluruh layanan kesehatan berkualitas, kapan dan di mana pun dibutuhkan, tanpa kesulitan finansial." Meskipun UHC menjadi prioritas global, kemajuannya telah mengalami stagnasi bahkan sebelum pandemi COVID-19. Di negara-negara OECD, belanja kesehatan diproyeksikan tumbuh sebesar 2,6% per tahun, lebih cepat dari pertumbuhan pendapatan pemerintah yang hanya 1,3%, sehingga menimbulkan kekhawatiran tentang keberlanjutan keuangan.

Sementara itu, tren global seperti penuaan populasi dan meningkatnya penyakit kronis serta tidak menular menambah tekanan pada sistem kesehatan agar dapat memberikan layanan yang tepat waktu dan merata. Sistem pembiayaan tunggal seperti SHI memang memberikan perlindungan dasar, namun banyak negara menghadapi defisit fiskal yang semakin meningkat, dengan suntikan anggaran tambahan yang diperlukan untuk menjaga keberlanjutan keuangan. Akibatnya, para pembuat kebijakan di seluruh dunia mengeksplorasi pendekatan pembiayaan kesehatan yang inovatif dan pelengkap. PHI semakin mendapat perhatian karena potensinya untuk mengurangi beban sektor publik, meningkatkan akses layanan kesehatan, dan mengurangi biaya langsung (out-of-pocket costs) bagi individu. Dengan mempertimbangkan tantangan dan peluang ini, diskusi mendalam mengenai peran PHI dalam mencapai tujuan sistem kesehatan dan UHC menjadi sangat penting dan relevan.

This event will provide a comprehensive overview of PHI’s strategic role in the context of health system goals across the Asia-Pacific region, featuring insights and experiences from senior academics, policymakers, regulators, economists, and insurers. Participants will engage in discussions on:

• Prinsip Cakupan Kesehatan Semesta – Memahami UHC, perspektif para pemangku kepentingan, serta upaya kolektif dalam mencapainya.
• Health Financing and Policy Issues – Exploring concepts of equity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of health financing strategies
• Health System Goals, Population Needs and Patient Perspectives – Exploring how different health system designs address common challenges.
• Peran Strategis Asuransi Kesehatan Swasta – Menganalisis bagaimana PHI dapat melengkapi dan mendukung skema nasional yang sudah ada.
• Lingkungan Bisnis dan Regulasi – Membahas persyaratan yang diperlukan agar PHI dapat berfungsi sebagai alat pembiayaan yang berkelanjutan.
• Studi Kasus dari Asia-Pasifik – Mempelajari pengalaman spesifik dari berbagai negara dan praktik terbaik dalam penerapan PHI.

Acara ini akan menjadi platform unik bagi para pemangku kepentingan utama untuk bertukar pengetahuan, berbagi strategi, dan mengeksplorasi pendekatan berbasis bukti dalam memanfaatkan PHI untuk mendukung UHC.

Acara ini bertujuan untuk:

1. Menganalisis peran PHI dalam mencapai tujuan sistem kesehatan dan UHC di kawasan Asia-Pasifik.
2. Mengkaji kebutuhan dan tantangan sistem kesehatan dari perspektif berbagai pemangku kepentingan, termasuk pembuat kebijakan, regulator, ekonom, dan industri asuransi.
3. Mengeksplorasi berbagai model pembiayaan kesehatan, kelebihan, keterbatasan, dan potensi sinerginya dengan PHI.
4. Mendorong pertukaran pengetahuan tentang strategi untuk mengatasi tekanan finansial dalam layanan kesehatan sambil menjaga aksesibilitas dan kesetaraan.
5. Mendiskusikan kebijakan dan kerangka regulasi yang diperlukan untuk memastikan kontribusi PHI yang berkelanjutan dalam pembiayaan kesehatan.

Menyajikan studi kasus nyata yang menggambarkan pengalaman berbagai negara dan pelajaran dalam mengintegrasikan PHI ke dalam sistem kesehatan.

• Dr. Eduardo P. BANZON (Director, Health Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, Philippines)
• Ms. Sabrina CHAN, Senior Executive Director (Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor Ying-Yao CHEN (Professor, Fudan University, China)
• Mr. Clement CHEUNG (Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor Philip Wai-Yan CHIU (Dean of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Dr. CHOW Yat (Executive Medical Director, Bupa Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Dr. Hong FUNG (Professor of Practice in Health Services Management, Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, HKSAR, China)
• Professor Chantal HERBERHOLZ (Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
• Professor Maria Elena B. HERRERA (Adjunct Faculty, Asian Institute of Management, The Philippines)
• Ms. Selina LAU (Chief Executive, Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Mr. Chye PANG-HSIANG (Principal & Consulting Actuary, Miliman, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Profesor Siripen SUPAKANKUNTI (Profesor, Universitas Chulalongkorn, Thailand)
• Professor Dr. Laksono TRISNANTORO (Professor, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat WAN PUTEH (Professor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia)
• Professor Eliza Lai-Yi WONG (Associate Director (Teaching and Learning), Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor Samuel Yeung-Shan WONG (Director, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor April Yu-shan WU (Research Assistant Professor, Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Mr. Raymond Wai-Man WU (Deputy Secretary for Health 1, Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor Eng-Kiong YEOH (Director, Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

This Regional Knowledge Event is designed for policymakers, regulators, health economists, insurers, healthcare providers, and researchers engaged in health system strengthening and financing. It is particularly relevant for government officials overseeing health policy, private health insurance stakeholders, and international organizations working toward Universal Health Coverage. Additionally, professionals from multilateral institutions, hospital administration, and patient advocacy groups will benefit from discussions on innovative financing strategies and the role of Private Health Insurance in complementing public health systems. The event fosters cross-sector collaboration, providing a platform for evidence-based dialogue and shared learning on sustainable health financing approaches.

Event Date: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, June 1st, 2026

Lokasi: Kai Chong Tong, G/F, School of Public Health Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong