Context:
At the INSPIRE Health Systems Forum in Manila, the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—led by President Masato Kanda—launched the Universal Health Coverage Practitioners and Experts Knowledge Exchange and Resources (UHC PEERS) network. Health ministers and officials from over 25 countries participated in the event.
Why It’s Important
- Over 1 billion people in Asia and the Pacific lack access to essential health services.
- Many families fall into poverty due to out-of-pocket medical expenses.
- ADB estimates show that every $1 invested in primary healthcare yields $10 in economic returns, underlining the importance of public health investments.
Features of UHC PEERS Network
- Peer-to-peer learning platform for cross-country collaboration and best practices.
- Focus areas include:
- Health financing reform
- Primary healthcare innovations
- Inclusion of underserved communities
- Private sector engagement
- Complements the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo.
