ADB to Improve Disease Monitoring in Three GMS Countries

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending US$49 million to expand surveillance and response systems to help control dengue outbreaks, and prevent the spread of communicable and tropical diseases in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

 

The community-based communicable disease control systems funded by the project are aimed at around 1.7 million people living in 116 border districts in the three countries. About one-third of the population in the target areas belong to ethnic minority groups.

 

The new project will build on earlier successes to strengthen surveillance and response mechanisms. Financing will come from ADB's concessional Asian Development Fund with a loan of US$27 million for Vietnam and grants of US$10 million for Cambodia and US$12 million for Laos. The three countries will provide counterpart support totalling US$5 million.

 

The Ministry of Health in each country will be the executing agency for the project, which is due for completion in June 2016. The regional coordination unit will be based in Vientiane.