Financial inclusion and education: An empirical study of financial inclusion in the face of the pandemic emergency due to Covid-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean

Mitigating role of financial inclusion on the perceived difficulties, concerns, and borrowing for medical expenses in Saudi Arabia

Access to convenient quality healthcare at all times is considered a basic human right; however, many countries are still striving to achieve this goal for their populations. The persistent rise in healthcare expenditure remains a significant obstacle in achieving universal health coverage on a global scale. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of financial inclusion in addressing the financial hardship related to health and medical expense concerns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Probit models were applied to analyse nationally representative data from the Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database. The results showed that financial inclusion had a significant impact on reducing the hardship associated with obtaining money for emergency expenses within 30 days as indicated by a significant coefficient of -0.262. Additionally, Financial inclusion substantially increases the likelihood of borrowing money for health or medical purposes in the past 12 months, with a coefficient of 0.585. Moreover, correlations were identified between low income levels and decreased likelihood of borrowing for health/medical purposes, increased difficulty in obtaining money for emergency expenses, and heightened concern regarding the ability to afford medical costs in the event of serious illness or accidents. These findings highlight the need for policy makers and health providers to prioritize financial inclusion and support programs for low-income individuals to achieve equity in health treatment for all in Saudi Arabia.

Inclusive policies for health financing towards universal health coverage in Pakistan: direct or indirect taxes

Purpose

The unresolved crisis scenario and a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic increased social inequalities, mainly affecting the most vulnerable groups to access health services. The data in Pakistan show that health coverage benefits less than half of the population and a weak health system forces households to finance their health with out-of-pocket expenses. Therefore, it is a pending task to guarantee universal health coverage and design sustainable and inclusive policies to finance and provide health services. This study aims to offer a unique solution for health financing to Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the VECM model by employing the data from Pakistan to indicate sustainable policies for health financing.

Findings

The results of this research show that direct taxes have a positive impact on public health expenditure; on the contrary, indirect taxes have a negative impact; it also confirms the importance of considering the direct tax based on high-income quintiles to guarantee equality and Access to health for all that contributes to human development.

Practical implications

This article leads to the design of a new health system that will be useful for improving the health of Pakistan by presenting a solution to enhance health financing. Meanwhile, Pakistan will experience better conditions in the face of health crises.

Social implications

Improving health financing through the equality approach can provide public access to the health system and strengthen the positive effects of the health system on socio-economic relations.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique solution for the ministry of health of Pakistan, International organisations and national authorities to reach a high level of health coverage without any cost to the financial system and increase the cost of living of the Pakistani people.

Highlights