Advancing the World Bank Group Goal: Reaching 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030

Stronger health systems do more than save lives. They create jobs, boost economies, and open the door to new opportunities. Around the world, countries are setting ambitious goals to expand access to health services, and the World Bank Group and global partners are helping to turn those goals into action.

At the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum in Tokyo, Japan, global leaders came together to share what’s working, exchange innovations, and mobilize support for reforms that strengthen health systems and unlock job-rich growth.

Here are 5 things to know about how countries and partners are accelerating progress toward reaching more people with better health services:

1. Accelerating Momentum Toward the 1.5 Billion Goal

In April 2024, the World Bank Group announced an ambitious goal:
help countries deliver affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.

Since then, good progress has been made:

• 375 million people have been reached so far.
• Work is ongoing across 45 countries, scaling proven primary care models.
• Efforts focus on expanding access and affordability while creating jobs—from health workers to supply chains to supporting local industries.

2. National Health Compacts: Country-Led, Results-Focused Reform Plans

Countries are developing five-year, government-endorsed National Health Compacts that align Health and Finance ministries behind measurable reforms. These Compacts focus on improving financial protection and expanding digitally-enabled primary care platforms using proven solutions:

• Growing the health workforce
• Modernizing facilities
• Scaling insurance coverage
• Using digital tools to improve service delivery
• Balancing curative and preventive care to tackle non-communicable diseases

Country examples include digitally connecting health facilities in the Philippines, scaling digital primary care and telemedicine in Indonesia, and expanding insurance coverage with subsidies for vulnerable households in Kenya.

Read more: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/12/09/advancing-the-world-bank-group-goal-reaching-1-5-billion-people-with-quality-affordable-health-services-by-2030