ADB OKs loan of US$450m for Philippines' universal healthcare coverage

The policy-based loan will help integrate quality health services.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revealed that it approved a US$450m policy-based loan to help the Philippines boost health policy reforms and improve Filipinos' access to healthcare.

In a statement, ADB said the funding will increase financing for universal healthcare coverage in the market. The Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 2) is helping to scale up the government’s efforts to implement key reforms under the UHC Act of 2019.

"These reforms include sustainable financing for UHC, the integrated delivery of quality health services, and the interoperability of health information systems," read the statement.

ADB Principal Health Specialist Eduardo Banzon said the programme will also address gender-specific health issues and the climate crisis impact on people's health.

Under Subprogram 2, the government adopted an updated health financing strategy, a national medicine access policy, and the National Health Data Repository framework.

The Green and Safe Health Facilities scheme was implemented to ensure public health facilities are disaster-resilient, environmentally sustainable, and gender-responsive.