The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 170 million policy-based loan aimed at bolstering India’s health system preparedness and capacity to respond to future pandemics.
- The loan, under the Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems (SMART health) Subprogram 1, will support India’s National Health Policy 2017.
This policy focuses on providing universal access to quality healthcare services, ensuring readiness to deal with future health crises.
Note: The program will support India to consolidate and strengthen its Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR) capability.
Objectives of the Program:
i.Enhance the disease surveillance systems to respond to public health threats.
ii.Establish laboratory networks for infectious disease surveillance at state/national levels.
iii.Improve the data systems to monitor and coordinate national health programs for vulnerable groups.
iv.Improve the governance and coordination of India’s One Health approach, its multisector response to emerging infectious diseases.
Policy Reforms:
i.This policy-based loan will support policy reforms to ensure adequate and skilled health professionals.
- It includes legislation to regulate the standards and conduct of healthcare professionals.
ii.It will fund the deployment of public health management teams in some states to improve service delivery.
Infrastructure Development:
i.The program will help manage integrated public health laboratories in 5 states and district critical care hospital blocks for infectious diseases.
ii.It supports establishing an intersectoral governing body and task force for green, climate-resilient healthcare facilities and innovative service delivery solutions.
ADB Signs USD 50 Million Commitment to Accelerate Energy Transition in Asia-Pacific Region
The ADB has signed a USD 50 million commitment to the Actis Asia Climate Transition(AACT) Fund, an infrastructure fund managed by Actis, a global sustainable infrastructure investor.
- The fund aims to accelerate the clean energy transition and address climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific.
Investment Focus:
i.The fund will invest in renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and energy solutions.
ii.The typical investment size per company ranges from USD 50 million to USD 200 million.
Objectives:
ADB’s investment in the fund will address climate change impacts in vulnerable Asian economies, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and adopt climate-smart technologies.
Impact:
i.Investee companies will develop net-zero emission plans aligned with the Paris Agreement climate goals.
ii.ADB’s investment includes adopting a gender lens investing approach to promote gender-inclusive practices of investee companies.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
ADB, established in 1966, is a multilateral development financing institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific.
President– Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
Members– 68 members (49 from the region).
