MANILA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Wednesday said it has approved a policy-based loan of 450 million U.S. dollars to help the Philippines strengthen health policy reforms.
The program will also improve Filipinos' access to medicines and health services, sustain universal health care (UHC) coverage, and increase financing for the UHC, the bank said.
"The Build UHC Program is part of the ADB's commitment to deliver long-term support to the country to ensure all Filipinos have equitable access to quality health services without exhausting their finances," said ADB principal health specialist Eduardo Banzon.
Banzon added the program will also help ensure that the reforms are responsive to gender-specific health issues and the impacts of climate change on people's health and well-being.
The ADB said it has been a partner of the Philippine government since 2016 in crafting and implementing the UHC Act, and has been supporting government efforts to boost the country's health system. ■
