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

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: 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: PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website.

Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency 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: PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website.

Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency 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: PSI - To access Population Service International's blogs and policy briefs, visit our health systems insights website.

Health Systems Pathways is an SCL Agency Production.

Governance is the backbone of effective health systems. Recorded live at HSR2024 in Nagasaki, this episode examines how governance tools and strategies can shape stronger, more equitable mixed health systems in low- and middle-income countries.

Catherine Goodman, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, shares findings from a WHO commissioned review on private sector governance. She highlights the need for governments to establish clear visions, integrate governance mechanisms, and address capacity gaps when working with private sector actors.

David Clarke from WHO introduces the Progression Pathway tool, a flexible framework that guides countries in assessing and strengthening their governance. He shares insights from its use in diverse contexts, including Ghana, Oman, and Georgia, and discusses how it fosters collaboration across public and private sectors.

This conversation provides practical guidance for policymakers, health professionals, and stakeholders working to improve governance.

Key takeaways from Catherine Goodman and David Clarke on building effective, flexible governance frameworks for mixed health systems.

Useful links;

• WHO: Governance of the Private Health Sector | BMJ Global Health
• The Progression Pathway for Governance of Mixed Health Systems | Country Connector

For more information;

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 Production

In this episode of Health Systems Pathways, recorded live at the 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Nagasaki, Alex Ergo dives into transformative strategies for improving global health systems. This episode explores two key themes: how integrated health data systems are driving universal health coverage (UHC) in India and how the private sector can play a pivotal role in strengthening health systems.

Grace Achungura shares insights from India’s innovative approach to health financing, including the use of interoperable digital infrastructure to harmonise insurance schemes and improve service access. Later, Jessica Jones discusses private sector engagement in global health, focusing on unlocking access to financing and aligning public and private health goals.

Discover practical lessons on collaboration, innovation, and keeping consumers at the heart of health system reform.

For more information;

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 Production

Join Alex Ergo, PSI’s Director of Health Systems, for an exciting special series of Health Systems Pathways episodes recorded live from the Health Systems Research Symposium in Nagasaki. This series will dive into the key issues shaping global health systems, including data integration, consumer insights, self-care, private sector engagement, and the vital connection between climate and health.

Tune in to gain fresh insights directly from experts and innovators at the symposium as they explore real solutions to today’s health challenges. Discover how integrated data can improve outcomes, how self-care models are meeting people's needs, and why climate resilience is essential for the future of health systems.

Subscribe now to Health Systems Pathways and be part of the conversation on building stronger, more resilient health systems worldwide.

Find out more about PSI:

Welcome to Health Systems Pathways - Population Services International's health system strengthening podcast - making it easier for people to navigate complex health systems.

Insights to inform, influence, and inspire!

In this episode, your host, Marina Dalton-Brown, continues her focus on digital tools and technologies that help people access the care they need. This includes Digital Health Locator Tools which helps direct people to health information and services, much like how Google Maps guides you through unfamiliar streets.

For this episode, Marina went to Kenya to experience first-hand how digital technology is revolutionizing the way people interact with the broader health system.

In the last episode, we learned about the connection between mobile money and digital health tools. We heard about PROMPT for Mums, which is helping over 2 million mothers in Kenya access the antenatal care they need, in the context of Universal Health Care. We touched on Jali, a WhatsApp platform that is aiming to reach the 11 million WhatsApp users across the country with health information on COVID-19, cholera, breast cancer, mental health and wellness, among other health-related topics.

In this episode, we delve deeper into Jali, as Marina discusses the tool with Ministry of Health leaders and consumers at the October 20th Mashujaa Day Celebrations. We learn about the benefits and the vision for Jali, and the impact of digital health tools in the country.

For more information;

• 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 Production

Welcome to Health Systems Pathways - Population Services International's health system strengthening podcast - making it easier for people to navigate complex health systems.

Insights to inform, influence, and inspire!

In this episode, your host, Marina Dalton-Brown, is focused on digital tools and technologies that help people access the care they need. This includes Digital Health Locator Tools which helps direct people to health information and services, much like how Google Maps guides you through unfamiliar streets.

For this episode, Marina went to Kenya to experience first-hand how digital technology is revolutionizing the way people interact with the broader health system.

We learn about the connection between mobile money and digital health tools. We hear about PROMPT for Mums, which is helping over 2 million mothers in Kenya access the antenatal care they need, in the context of Universal Health Care. We touch on Jali, a WhatsApp platform that is aiming to reach the 11 million WhatsApp users across the country with health information on COVID-19, cholera, breast cancer, mental health and wellness, among other health-related topics.

In the next episode, we delve deeper into Jali, as Marina discusses the tool with Ministry of Health leaders and consumers at the October 20th Mashujaa Day Celebrations. We learn about the benefits and the vision for Jali, and the impact of digital health tools in the country.

For more information;

• 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 Production