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 infras...
Apr 24, 2025•15 min•Ep. 11
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 ...
Feb 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 10
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 Raman...
Nov 21, 2024•21 min•Ep. 8
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 Ug...
Nov 21, 2024•20 min•Ep. 9
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. S...
Nov 20, 2024•16 min•Ep. 7
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, a...
Nov 19, 2024•15 min•Ep. 6
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 finan...
Nov 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 5
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 r...
Nov 11, 2024•1 min•Ep. 4
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 t...
Dec 22, 2023•15 min•Ep. 2
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 gui...
Dec 22, 2023•13 min•Ep. 3
Welcome to the first episode of Health Systems Pathways. Making it easier for people to navigate complex health systems. Insights to inform, influence and inspire! I am Marina Dalton-Brown from Population Services International (more fondly known as PSI), and I am pleased to be your host for this podcast series. This is the shorter version of this episode, where you will hear the contributions of my guest, Ms. Hawa Godwin Milangasi, translated into English. If you would prefer to listen to the f...
Aug 30, 2023•21 min•Ep. 1
Welcome to Health Systems Pathways. This podcast is designed to share insights that inform, inspire, and invite discussion about what's being done to make it easier for people to navigate complex health systems in different parts of the world. Sometimes moving through the health system can feel like going through a complicated maze. Imagine going to the pharmacy to get medicine for an ill relative in an emergency, just to find out that your health insurance is not accepted there, and you're unab...
Aug 30, 2023•2 min
Welcome to the first episode of Health Systems Pathways. Making it easier for people to navigate complex health systems. Insights to inform, influence and inspire! I am Marina Dalton-Brown from Population Services International (more fondly known as PSI), and I am pleased to be your host for this podcast series. In today’s episode, we talk about drug shops and the role they have in connecting people with the broader health systems. This is the full length version of this episode, where you will ...
Aug 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 1
