Health systems worldwide are under unprecedented strain from population aging and rising healthcare costs that 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, “The Strategic Role of Private Health Insurance (PHI) for Health System Goals to Advance Universal Health Coverage,” scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 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. 

Background

Public health financing, such as tax-based system or Social Health Insurance (SHI), plays a critical role in health systems worldwide by ensuring 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, its role in advancing health system goals and Universal Health Coverage remains a critical question. 

One health system goal as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Target 3.8) is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), defined as “access to the full range of quality health services, when and where people need them, without financial hardship”. Despite its global importance, progress toward UHC has stagnated even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among OECD countries, health expenditures are projected to grow at 2.6% annually, outpacing government revenue growth at 1.3%, raising concerns about financial sustainability.

At the same time, global trends such as aging populations and rising chronic and non-communicable diseases are increasing pressure on health systems to deliver timely and equitable services. While single-payer systems like SHI provide a foundational safety net, many face growing fiscal deficits, with budget injections needed to maintain solvency threatening national financial stability. As a result, policymakers worldwide are exploring innovative and supplementary health financing approaches. PHI has gained attention for its potential to ease public-sector burdens, improve access to care, and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Given these challenges and opportunities, a critical discussion on PHI’s role in achieving health system goals and advancing UHC is both timely and necessary.

Event overview

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:

• Principles of Universal Health Coverage – Understanding UHC, stakeholder perspectives, and collective efforts toward its advancement.
• Health System Goals, Population Needs and Patient Perspectives – Exploring how different health system designs address common challenges.
• The Strategic Role of Private Health Insurance – Examining how PHI complements and supplements existing national schemes.
• Business and Regulatory Environments – Addressing the requirements for PHI to function as a sustainable financing tool.
• Case Studies from the Asia-Pacific – Learning from country-specific experiences and best practices.

This event provides a unique platform for key stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share strategies, and explore evidence-based approaches to leveraging PHI in support of UHC.

Objectives

This Knowledge Event aims to:

1. Examine the role of PHI in achieving health system goals, and in the context of UHC across the Asia-Pacific region.
2. Analyze health system needs and challenges from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, economists, and insurers.
3. Explore different health financing models, their strengths, limitations, and potential synergies with PHI.
4. Facilitate knowledge exchange on strategies to address financial pressures in healthcare while maintaining accessibility and equity.
5. Discuss policy and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure PHI’s sustainable contribution to health financing.
6. Present real-world case studies to illustrate diverse country experiences and lessons learned in integrating PHI into health systems.

Invited Guests and Speakers 

• Dr. Eduardo P. BANZON (Director, Health Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, Philippines)
• Professor Ying-Yao CHEN (Professor, Fudan University, China)
• Mr. Clement CHEUNG (CEO, 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. Yat CHOW (Executive Medical Director, Bupa HK, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Shita DEWI (Health Policy and Public Health Division, CHPM, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Dr. FUNG Hong, Executive Director and CEO of CUHK Medical Centre, HKSAR, China) 
• Professor Chantal HERBERHOLZ (Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
• Mr. Sam HUI (Deputy Secretary for Health 1, Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Professor Soonman KWON (TBC) (Professor, Seoul National University, South Korea)
• Dr. Libby Ha-Yun LEE (Under Secretary for Health, Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR, China)
• Ms. Sarah LEONG (TBC) (Director, Finance Partnerships and Governance, Ministry of Health, Singapore)
• Professor Chung-Mau LO (TBC) (Secretary for Health, Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR, China) 
• Professor Siripen SUPAKANKUNTI (Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
• Professor Laksono TRISNANTORO (Professor, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Professor Sharifa Ezat WAN PUTEH (Professor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia)
• 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 Eng-Kiong YEOH (Director, Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

Target Audience

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 (UHC). 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 (PHI) 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.

Time and Venue

Event Date: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, May 7th, 2025
Venue: Alva Hotel by Royal, 1 Yuen Hong Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

Registration

The Regional Knowledge Event is by invitation only. Additional participation can be arranged on request depending on availability. For more enquiries, please contact Ms. Ho Yee MIAO at +852 2252 8783 (hoyeemiao@cuhk.edu.hk.).

The Strategic Role of Private Health Insurance (PHI) for Health System Goals and to Advance Universal Health Coverage

Event Date: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, May 7th, 2025
Venue: Alva Hotel by Royal, 1 Yuen Hong Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

Date: May 8, 2025

Venue: CUHK Medical Centre, 9 Chak Cheung Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

AGENDA OVERVIEW