Many more interesting features of health systems of different countries of the world

According to a report published by WHO in 2001, France topped the list of countries with finest health care systems in the world. The top 10 countries included in the list were France, Italy, San Marino, Andorra, Malta, Singapore, Spain, Oman, Austria and Japan. You might be feeling something strange in the list but yes its true that USA, UK  and Australia are not included in the list of top 10. India stood on 112th rank and its neighbours Sri lanka on 76th, Bangladesh on 88th, Pakistan on 122nd and China on 144th rank based on WHO rankings. But this  list of WHO proved to be quite controversial to such an extent that WHO didn't published any list in year 2011. In this blog, we will not take into account, the rankings of countries. I am just going to share ,with you, some silent features of health services of various countries.

1. France France treats healthcare as a human rights issue. The health care system is very much open and communicative to patients and family. France has more doctors per capita and Pharmacists have rights to diagnose common diseases. All France nationals have a smart card.  The patients have to pay for all the medical expenses but the money is paid back into the patients account within few days. The reimbursement rate of money transfer is between 70% -100%.

2.Italy The country has very high doctor ratios. The country provides universal health coverage that is free. The list of medicines under national insurance is most complete and patients have to pay for minor disorders only.

3.Spain It provides free and universal healthcare to all residents living legally or illegally in the country as well as tourists and other visitors.

4.Japan Every residents has to take a compulsory public health insurance. Regular employees have to pay 20% of total medicine's costs whereas self employed and unemployed must join the national health insurance scheme. Insurance premiums are based on salary, value of property and number of dependents.

5.USA It has very high health expenditure nearly 17% of total GDP. In the tenure of  President Obama, insurance reforms were introduced and it has reduced the percentage of people with no insurance cover to 10% .

6.Russia On paper Russian health service is free but often due to consumption and low wages of Doctor and Nurses, you can't get a descent level of care. The Russian doctors do have the tendency to over prescribe medicines and a common Russian has to spend a lot of money on medicines. Emergency care is also free but it is a general scene there that private ambulances arrive much quickly than the state provided ones. Some case of ambulance crew demanding money to take patients to hospitals have also been reported.

7.Australia It provides subsidies on prescriptions. Ambulances are not covered under medicinal costs.

8. Pakistan Nearly 70% people visit private clinics. Health and Sanitation is nearly adequate in urban areas but very poor in rural areas. Breast cancer and ovarian cancer find high incidence in Pakistan. Brain drain among Pakistani doctors are also very high. You will not believe that Pakistan is the fourth highest source of international medical graduate doctors in US.

9. Bangladesh Child malnutrition is very high in Bangladesh. The country is also facing the problem of population explosion.

You can share, with us, the health systems of other countries as well, in the comment box. Your suggestions and criticisms are highly appreciated.