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Government healthcare 'needs to be made more efficient'
November 30, 2010
Governments have to get a grip on their healthcare spending, it has been warned.
Governments across the world need to make their healthcare systems more efficient if they are to maintain standards while not putting further pressure on public finances.
This is the view of a new report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which warned cash-strapped states can longer afford to keep pouring money into healthcare services.
Angel Gurria, secretary general of the body, said: "Healthcare is now one of the largest government spending items, representing on average 15 per cent of government spending across the OECD and costs are still rising."
The expert added the effects of the global financial crisis have hit public finances hard, meaning there is even more urgency to make healthcare spending more efficient.
A similar warning was also given recently by the World Health Organization, which said costs are soaring as a result of more expensive treatments and drugs, ageing populations and more chronic disease sufferers.
Published by Barry Cox
Private Health Insurance News
