Health Systems Pathways

How do you scale health insurance access across 13,000 islands? In this episode, host Alex Ergo speaks with Trisna Sari of BPJS Kesehatan about Mobile JKN — Indonesia’s digital gateway to its national health insurance scheme. Trisna shares how the innovation was born out of a need to ease administrative bottlenecks as the JKN program rapidly expanded to cover over 98% of the population. She explains the challenges of rolling out a digital tool in a country with uneven digital literacy and infrastructure, and the design trade-offs faced when aiming for scale, simplicity, and inclusion. Together, they explore how Mobile JKN is changing the way Indonesians engage with health financing and public services, and what lessons it offers for other countries seeking to digitize access to universal health coverage. Host: Alex Ergo, Director of Health Systems, Population Services International Guest: Trisna Sari, Primary Benefit Assurance Policy Lead, BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia For more information: HSS Insights Series [https://www.psi.org/hss-insights-series/]

What does it really mean for a health system to be resilient? The term is widely used but often lacks clarity. In this episode, recorded live at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) in Bangkok, host Alex Ergo speaks with Professor David Bishai about the World Bank's new publication, "Strategic Investment for Health System Resilience." Professor Bishai unpacks key insights from the book, including a three-layer framework for investing in resilience, the connection between essential public health functions and resilience-building, and how countries can strategically invest in strengthening their health systems—not just for future crises, but for everyday health system improvements. Host: Alex Ergo, Director of Health Systems, Population Services International Guest: Professor David Bishai, Professor of Health Economics and Health Systems, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health For more information: HSS Insights Series [https://www.psi.org/hss-insights-series/]: PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website.

The final episode from the Health Systems Research Symposium in Nagasaki turns the spotlight on climate change and its impact on health systems. We explore the steps countries are taking to adapt to climate challenges and the vital role communities play in building resilience. Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba discusses Pakistan's progress in developing a Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), sharing the challenges of decentralisation and the importance of regional collaboration. Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo from Uganda highlights the critical contributions of communities, indigenous knowledge, and community health workers in adapting to climate shocks and fostering resilient health systems. This episode offers valuable insights into climate-smart health policies and the collaborative actions needed to address global health and climate challenges. Host: Alex Ergo, Director of Health Systems, Population Services International Guests: * Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba, Public Health Specialist, Pakistan * Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, Lecturer, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda For more information: HSS Insights Series [https://www.psi.org/hss-insights-series/]: PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website. Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency [https://www.thesclagency.co.uk/] Production.

From the halls of the Health Systems Research Symposium in Nagasaki, this episode explores two vital health system challenges: improving contributory health insurance models in low- and middle-income countries and addressing fragmented care pathways for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension. Agnes Gatome-Munyua highlights the shortcomings of contributory health insurance and suggests how better purchasing strategies can make these systems more effective. Dr. Sudha Ramani shares insights from Mumbai’s urban informal settlements, where patient journeys for NCD care are often convoluted and inequitable, pointing to systemic barriers and practical policy solutions. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is essential for anyone working to build resilient and inclusive health systems globally. For more information; HSS Insights Series: [https://www.psi.org/hss-insights-series/] PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website. Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency [https://www.thesclagency.co.uk/] Production.

Optimising primary health care systems is essential for improving health outcomes and achieving resilience. Recorded live at HSR2024 in Nagasaki, this episode dives into the critical role of health system design, data integration, and performance management in rethinking how resources are allocated and services delivered. Nirmala Ravishankar, Deputy Director of the Primary Health Care team at the Gates Foundation, discusses how smarter planning and better data use can transform health systems. She highlights examples from Pakistan and explores strategies for creating feedback loops to address gaps in service delivery and improve accountability. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for policymakers, health professionals, and organizations looking to strengthen primary health care systems globally. For more information; HSS Insights Series: [https://www.psi.org/hss-insights-series/] PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website. Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency [https://www.thesclagency.co.uk/] Production.