The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 170 million policy-based loan aimed at enhancing the country’s health system.
According to ADB, the loan, part of the Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems (SMART Health) Subprogram 1, is designed to support the Indian government’s National Health Policy 2017.
This policy seeks to provide high-quality healthcare services to all citizens, ensuring readiness to tackle future health crises.
The USD 170 million loan from ADB will play a crucial role in addressing gaps in India’s health system and enhancing its capacity to respond to future pandemics.
Sonalini Khetrapal, ADB Senior Health Specialist, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us valuable lessons and adoption of several innovative practices that would significantly strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capacities if consolidated, sustained, and institutionalized. ADB has been working with the Government of India to strengthen its health system and adopt transformative solutions.” (The Print)