ADB loan targets health infrastructure
Myanmar is set to receive a portion of a US$117 million Asian Development Bank loan aimed at combating emerging infectious diseases. The Greater Mekong Subregion Health Security Project will target outbreaks in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The loan is meant to boost access to treatment for the regionally common diseases malaria, dengue, SARS, bird flu and corona virus. The project focuses on strengthening the four countries’ public health infrastructure including health services, surveillance and response to outbreaks, and greater quality control in laboratories. The project will benefit five states and regions throughout Myanmar, focusing on poor, marginalised communities with limited mobility, the ABD said. “The project will help address weaknesses in these countries’ health systems and promote cross-country cooperation to improve national and international health security,” said Gerard Servais, ADB’s senior health specialist at the Southeast Asia department.
