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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US, Japan, Korea commit P1.6 B to improve BARMM's health services

US, Japan, Korea commit P1.6 B to improve BARMM's health services

Published Sep 27, 2024 05:49 am

The United States, Japan and Korea are contributing a total of P1.6 billion in a span of five years to help the Philippines improve the health services being offered in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have joined hands in a bid to advance Universal Health Care in the region.

Th​e cooperation is marking the first health partnership in the Asia​-Pacific region among the development agencies of the governments of ​the US, Japan​ and South Korea.

Under the Memorandum of Cooperation, the three agencies will work with BARMM’s Ministry of Health (BARMM-MOH), the Department of Health (DOH), local communities and other key stakeholders to improve health information systems.

09 27 2024 PR - Japan, Korea, U.S. Announce Php1.6-Billion Partnership to Improve Health in BARMM 1.jpg
Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Manila

Together they will also increase public health financing; promote good public health practices; expand quality healthcare services, and improve access to essential medicines, facilities, and equipment.

USAID, JICA and KOICA have committed to share their expertise and resources to advance cross-cutting health system reforms and initiatives in the region effectively and innovatively.​

US Ambassador in the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that through such partnership, they "envision a future where mothers and their children are in the care of highly capable professionals; where TB patients receive treatment; where young adults receive culturally sensitive reproductive health services; and where families are protected from infectious diseases and pandemic threats."

“Together with our partners, we aim to promote a more resilient and efficient regional healthcare system accessible to the community and the vulnerable groups within the region. Our efforts towards a more inclusive and responsive health system reflects Japan’s long-standing commitment to human security and peace-making efforts within the BARMM,” Japanese Ambassador ​in Manila Endo Kazuya said at the signing ceremony ​Friday, Sept. 27.

“Korea’s experience rising from the ashes of war to prosperity drives our commitment to supporting peace and development, reflected in our 30 percent increase in official development assistance and a 48 percent boost in KOICA’s budget for 2024. Through this unprecedented partnership, KOICA will play a crucial role in delivering vital maternal and child health services, strengthening health systems, and improving emergency readiness,” KOICA Vice President KIM Dong Ho said.

​T​he three agencies will have a unique focus ​each on their own and expand their priority health programs in BARM​M.

USAID will strengthen health systems, enhance the delivery of family planning, adolescent reproductive health, and tuberculosis programs, and improve preparedness and response to emerging health threats.

JICA will advance maternal and newborn health and nutrition, strengthen community health services, promote PhilHealth enrollment facility-based deliveries, and take into account contribution to gender mainstreaming.

KOICA will enhance sustainable health financing through PhilHealth, provide culturally sensitive maternal care, upgrade facilities and equipment, and boost emergency preparedness with the DOH-certified Field Epidemiology Training Program.

“This collaboration reinforces the shared journey of DOH, BARMM-MOH, USAID, JICA, and KOICA towards our vision of Universal Health Care and the sustainable development goals for health, including quality service delivery, healthcare financing, health governance, and health regulations,” DOH Secretary Te​d Herbosa​ said.

Related Tags

USAID JICA koica BARMM health services
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