ADB greenlights $350m loan to support nationwide primary care in Indonesia

Indonesia's health ministry healthcare programme will also be backed by a $2m grant.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it approved a $350m loan to support the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MOH) in reshaping its nationwide primary care, which will increase access to quality, gender, and climate-responsive primary care services. 

Specifically, the Supporting Essential Health Actions and Transformation (SEHAT) Program, is a results-based loan designed to strengthen, integrate, and standardise the life-cycle primary care delivery model in puskesmas (primary public health centre) and posyandu (integrated service posts) across Indonesia.

SEHAT will also receive a $2m technical assistance grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific.

Under the programme, primary care providers will be equipped with ultrasound machines and instruments to monitor the presence of stunting and malnutrition.

"In addition, the program will strengthen and standardize the tier-1 public health laboratories in puskesmas, and improve the capacity of primary care and public health laboratory staff. This includes training of primary health facility and community health workers to provide reproductive health services, and early detection and treatment of gender-based violence," read the statement.