Strengthening private and public health insurance models for affordability of health services and financial protection

Prof Patricia Akweongo (PhD, MA) is an Associate Professor of Health Economics and Policy in the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, where she has served since 2009 in teaching, research, supervision, and academic administration. She previously provided departmental leadership as Head of Health Policy, Planning and Management (2018–2022) and earlier as Head of Epidemiology and Disease Control (2012–2016). Prior to joining the University of Ghana, Prof Akweongo spent 13 years as a Research Scientist at the Navrongo Health Research Centre, including leadership as Head of the Social Science Unit (2005–2008). Her training includes a PhD in Health Economics (University of Cape Town) and a Master of Health Economics, with an undergraduate degree in Economics with French (University of Ghana). Her scholarship sits at the intersection of health economics, health policy and systems research, and implementation learning, with expertise spanning health systems strengthening, health financing and social protection, costing and economic evaluation, equity and access, human resources for health, community engagement, and gender and socio-cultural determinants of health. She has contributed to research across communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, immunization, and health system governance, and has over 95 peer-reviewed publications. Prof Akweongo serves on technical and advisory platforms including WHO technical working groups (Human Resources for Health; MPDRS health economics task team) and the ExpandNet Advisory Council for scaling up health interventions As a guest editor, Prof Akweongo offers rich expertise at the intersection of health systems, economics, and equity, alongside a proven ability to bridge research and decision-making. Her editorial perspective is grounded in methodological rigor, policy relevance, and a commitment to strengthening African health systems through evidence that is actionable for practitioners, managers, and policymakers.

Albino Kalolo PhD, MD, MSc St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara, Tanzania Dr Albino Kalolo is an Associate Professor of Public Health, specializing in Implementation Science, with a 15-year career focused on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Currently, he serves as a Principal of the St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences (SFUCHAS) in Ifakara, Tanzania, his expertise lies at the nexus of health policy, financial protection, and system resilience and antifragility. Dr Kalolo utilizes diverse methodologies—including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods—to address the core pillars of UHC: expanding population reach, enhancing service quality, and securing financial protection for the vulnerable. He has been instrumental in evaluating the national rollout of health insurance in Tanzania, streamlining health facility financing, and removing barriers to enrollment for marginalized communities. Dr Kalolo has authored and edited foundational texts, including Leadership and Governance in Primary Healthcare in Tanzania and Primary Health Care in Tanzania through a Health Systems Lens. Dr Kalolo’s global academic background includes an MD from the University of Dar es Salaam, an MSc from Maastricht University, and a PhD from the University of Heidelberg. Beyond research, Dr Kalolo is a committed educator and mentor, having supervised and examined numerous PhD and Master’s candidates. His work continues to provide the evidence-based framework necessary to build responsive, high-quality primary healthcare systems in resource-limited settings.

Dr Aklilu Endalamaw Sinshaw is a public health researcher. His work focuses on health system, global health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases.