Health Systems in Transition (Hit) Reviews
All →Health System in Transition (HiT) reviews provide comprehensive analyses of health systems across countries in the Asia Pacific region. Developed through collaboration between policymakers and researchers, HiTs examine governance, financing, service delivery, health workforce and system performance to support evidence-informed reform and cross-country learning.
22 September 2026
The Republic of Maldives health system review
The Maldives HiT is a comprehensive assessment of the organization, financing, governance and performance of the Maldivian health system. As one of the...
16 May 2025
Health systems reviews template for authors
Health System Reviews or HiTs are flagship products of APO that support countries in evidence-based policy making. They are the most downloaded publications...
This is the second edition of Thailand’s health system review (HiT), updating the old one that was published in 2015. Since then the country has...
30 December 2022
New Zealand health system review
New Zealand is a Pacific nation of just over 5 million people. Health and disability services are predominantly tax-funded, providing universal coverage....
Policy briefs
All →APO policy briefs provide concise, evidence-informed analyses on priority health systems issues affecting countries across the Asia Pacific region. Designed for policymakers and stakeholders, they synthesize key findings, emerging trends and actionable policy considerations to support informed decision-making.
20 August 2025
Landscape analysis of primary health care research in South, East Asia and the Pacific: policy brief
Strengthening PHC systems has been a priority for many countries in South, East Asia and the Pacific. Yet, research investments and evidence availability...
25 June 2025
Strengthening the health system response to population ageing in Pacific Island countries: policy brief
This policy brief examines the growing challenges and opportunities associated with population ageing in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs),...
26 September 2024
Analysis of policies to address health inequity among migrant populations during the COVID-19 pandemic...
This policy brief examines the health inequities experienced by migrant workers in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights...
3 August 2022
Digital health and universal health coverage: opportunities and policy considerations for Pacific Island...
The emergence of digital health tools offer opportunities to complement and support the health system in the delivery of health services, especially in...
Comparative country studies
All →Comparative country studies examine shared health systems challenges and policy responses across multiple countries. By analysing experiences across contexts, these studies support regional learning and help identify effective approaches to strengthening health systems.
6 February 2025
Comparative analysis of the national immunization programmes in select ASEAN and SAARC countries: progress...
While low-income countries have received support on financing and delivery of immunization services from donors, many middle-income countries in Asia face...
11 November 2024
Public-private mix for continuity of care for older persons: study of select countries in the Asia Pacific...
This comparative country study examines the integration of health and social care services for ageing populations across the Asia Pacific region, with...
28 January 2024
Use of routine health information systems for policy-making towards universal health coverage in decentralized...
What is the role of Routine Health Information Systems in planning in decentralized countries? How did COVID_19 Outbreak change this process? What can...
29 March 2023
The role of the private sector in Asia: challenges and opportunities for achieving universal health coverage
How do public sector insurance companies deal with contracting private providers? How are the contracts managed? How do they ensure quality? How do they...
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor
All →HiT policy notes provide concise analyses and updates based on findings from Health Systems in Transition reviews. They highlight key policy insights, emerging issues and reform considerations relevant to policymakers and health systems stakeholders.
6 February 2022
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor: Sri Lanka
The Government of Sri Lanka used an “all-of-government” approach focused on prevention, containment and management throughout, with varying...
14 September 2021
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor: Indonesia
Indonesia set up the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 handling in March 2020. Areas within the country were categorized into four coloured zones...
16 August 2021
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor: Singapore
The 2nd updated edition of the Singapore COVID-19 HSRM features developments on Singapore’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus...
28 April 2021
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor: New Zealand
New Zealand has had a total of 2600 cases as of April 2021 since its first case was documented at the end of February 2020. New Zealand’s approach...
HiT policy notes
All →HiT policy notes provide concise analyses and updates based on findings from Health Systems in Transition reviews. They highlight key policy insights, emerging issues and reform considerations relevant to policymakers and health systems stakeholders.
11 August 2017
Improving the quality of care in the public health system in Bangladesh: building on new evidence and...
Bangladesh has been implementing health sectoral policies as well as an institutional arrangement on improving quality of care since the 2010s. This Bangladesh...
5 August 2016
Increasing equity in health service access and financing: health strategy, policy achievements and new...
The Cambodia Health System in Transition Policy Note outlines the challenges facing Cambodia's health system and recommends ways to tackle these.
19 June 2016
Health system review: achievements and challenges
Ever since it achieved Universal Health Coverage in 2002, Thailand has had high levels of financial risk protection. The entire population is protected...
Journal articles
All →APO contributes to peer-reviewed journal publications on health policy and systems research topics relevant to the Asia Pacific region. These publications support broader academic and policy dialogue on health systems strengthening and evidence-informed policymaking.
COVID-19 public health and social measures: a comprehensive picture of six Asian countries
BMJ Global Health 2022;7
The impact of digital communication and data exchange on primary health service delivery in a small island developing state setting
PLOS Digital Health 1(10): e0000109
A Qualitative Study on the Design and Implementation of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in the Philippines
Antibiotics. 2022;11(6):820
Strengthening the migrant-friendliness of Thai health services through interpretation and cultural mediation: a system analysis
Global Health Research and Policy (2020) 5:53