ENA Economy 2024-07-03 17:25:17 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jul 3 (KNN)</strong> The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 170 million policy-based loan to India, aimed at enhancing the country's health system preparedness for future pandemics, according to the Union Ministry of Finance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The loan agreement, titled Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems Programme (Subprogramme 1), was formalised on Tuesday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, signed on behalf of the Indian government, while Mio Oka, Country Director, ADB's India Resident Mission, represented the bank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This financial assistance is expected to support India's ongoing efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure the adequacy and quality of health professionals, and promote climate-resilient public health infrastructure and service delivery.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The program aligns with key government initiatives, including the National Health Policy 2017, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the National One Health Mission, and efforts to bolster human resources in healthcare.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The program focuses on enhancing disease surveillance systems and multi-sectoral response capabilities, strengthening human resources for health, expanding climate-resilient public health infrastructure, and developing innovative service delivery methods.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">It aims to establish laboratory networks for infectious disease surveillance at state, union, and metropolitan levels, and improve data systems for monitoring national health programs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The loan will also support policy reforms to ensure adequate and competent health professionals, including legislation to regulate education standards and professional conduct in the healthcare sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Furthermore, the loan will facilitate the management of integrated public health laboratories in five states and support the establishment of district critical care hospital blocks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The program is also set to assist in creating green and climate-resilient healthcare facilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Mio Oka emphasised that this loan will help the Indian government address gaps in policy, legislative, and institutional governance structures, contributing to the country's goal of providing universal access to quality and affordable healthcare services.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This development marks a significant step in India's efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure and pandemic preparedness capabilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">By focusing on key areas such as disease surveillance, human resources, and infrastructure, the loan aims to enhance India's overall resilience to public health emergencies and improve its capacity to respond effectively to future pandemics.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 38459 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/economy/india-secures-usd-170-mn-loan-from-adb-for-pandemic-preparedness 2024-07-03 17:25:17 knnindia.co.in