Asian Development BankTHE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $600-million loan to help the Philippines fund its universal health care (UHC) reform program. In a statement on Friday, the ADB said the Build Universal Health Care Program seeks to support the government's initiatives to improve the financing and delivery of health services and implement measures to monitor the performance of health service providers. "The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted existing constraints in the country's health care service delivery, which the government sought to address in its pandemic health response. "This new ADB program will help the government boost financing for UHC, expand the supply of health facilities and workers, enable the integration of health care providers and enhance health system efficiency," said ADB Principal Health Specialist for Southeast Asia Eduardo Banzon. It will support LGUs' efforts to expand health promotion and help improve access to health care workers and health care facilities, particularly in underserved LGUs.

Source: Manila Times November 20, 2021 00:37 UTC