The Lao government is actively working to build a more inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable health system, especially in rural and vulnerable communities. --Photo Centre of Information and Education for Health

ADB approves US$41 million to strengthen primary healthcare in Laos
 
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$41 million financing package to enhance the delivery and resilience of primary health care services in Laos, with a strong focus on climate adaptation and equity in health access.
This initiative, titled the Green Primary Care Project, is designed to support the government’s efforts in building a more inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable health system, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
The package comprises US$30 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources, US$10 million from the Asian Development Fund, and a US$1 million technical assistance grant from the ADB-administered Community Resilience Partnership Programme Trust Fund. The latter is supported by the Nordic Development Fund and the governments of France and the United Kingdom.
“This project places people and prevention at the centre by fortifying local health services and ensuring that facilities and communities are better equipped to withstand climate-related shocks,” Country Director of ADB for Laos Ms Shanny Campbell said.
“By expanding climate-resilient primary care in rural and climate-vulnerable districts, the project will help safeguard the Lao PDR’s hard-earned progress towards universal health coverage.”
In recent years, Laos has faced a dual challenge: persistent under-investment in primary care and the growing impact of climate change.
Many communities, particularly those in remote and ethnic areas, continue to encounter limited access to essential health services. Meanwhile, increasing climate extremes—such as floods, heatwaves, and prolonged droughts—have intensified health risks, disrupted service delivery, and strained fragile infrastructure.
The Green Primary Care Project will target 51 districts in five provinces—Champasak, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Savannakhet and Xiengkhouang—including 14 districts identified as particularly climate-vulnerable.
Investments will focus on upgrading primary care facilities, reinforcing health infrastructure to withstand environmental shocks, and expanding clean water and sanitation systems.
Furthermore, the project will prioritise capacity-building by training health workers and local leaders to manage health service delivery during extreme weather events.
It will also promote community-led climate adaptation planning and awareness, with specific emphasis on the participation of women, girls, and smaller ethnic groups.
In alignment with the Lao government’s Health Sector Reform Strategy and the 2024 National Adaptation Plan, the initiative supports the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The ADB’s investment represents a key step forward in the region’s broader agenda to link health system strengthening with climate resilience, recognising the intrinsic link between environmental stability and human health.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 15, 2025)