Public health spending as a share of total government expenditure increased gradually from
5 percent in 1985 to 14 percent in 2010. Fiscal space was created from proportionate
reductions, respectively, in the security budget (due to achievement of internal peace) and
public debt services (due to rapid economic growth from international trade). Fiscal space
within the UCS program has been achieved through strategic purchasing with extensive cost
reductions, for example, in essential drugs and medical devices. Together these efforts allowed
for gradual expansion of benefit packages under UCS while maintaining fiscal control.