Philippines and Laos Receive Foreign Healthcare Assistance from the U.S. and ADB

On September 12, the U.S. government announced approximately PHP 13.8 billion (USD 250 million) in foreign assistance to the Philippines aimed at strengthening health systems, improving disease detection and response capabilities, and enhancing maternal and child health services. The support focuses on critical areas such as tuberculosis control and prevention, global health security, maternal and child health and nutrition, and other priorities essential to both countries’ health security. The funding also supports key initiatives including supply chain management, data and information systems, and laboratory strengthening. This follows an earlier allocation in March from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided the Philippines with PHP 11.44 billion (USD 207 million) under the Build Universal Health Care – Subprogram 2 to further improve healthcare access in the country. 

In the Lao PDR, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved USD 41 million in funding to bolster primary healthcare. The project aims to strengthen governance and service delivery of primary health care and improve the resilience of the health system and communities in the context of increasingly frequent and severe weather events.  

Planned interventions include upgrading and equipping primary care facilities, training the health workforce to ensure continuity of services during extreme weather, upgrading water systems, and implementing community climate adaptation plans. The project will also train community leaders, women, girls, and ethnic groups on adaptation strategies. It targets 51 districts across the five provinces of Champasak, Luangphrabang, Oudomxai, Savannakhet, and Xiangkhouang.