Manila: Japan is extending a USD187.82 million or approximately PHP11.53 billion loan to help strengthen the Philippines' implementation of its Universal Health Care (UHC) program, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the agency announced that both countries have signed the diplomatic notes on the Build Universal Health Care Program Subprogram 3-Emergency Support (BUHC3). The DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed her satisfaction with the signing, emphasizing the commitment of both nations to ensure quality, accessible, and equitable healthcare for every Filipino. She highlighted the importance of the project in advancing the Philippine-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Japanese loan is aimed at key reform areas, including sustainable financing and strategic purchasing for UHC, integrated delivery of quality health services, and information management and performance accountability for UHC. The project will be implemented and co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Upon completion, the DFA stated that BUHC 3 will enhance equitable access to quality health services, addressing gender-specific health concerns and the health impacts of climate change. This initiative follows the multi-year BUHC Subprogram 1, which ran from January 2019 to May 2021 with support from the ADB, and BUHC Subprogram 2, implemented from July 2021 to September 2023, co-financed by the ADB, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and JICA.
