Funding for resilient health systems in Asia and the Pacific remains far below what is needed. Practical financing strategies to close the gap, support adaptation, and strengthen health outcomes are needed.
In 2025, Asia and the Pacific experienced a series of weather and health crises that took a heavy toll on human lives. Devastating monsoon floods in Pakistan and India, record rains in the People’s Republic of China, and Typhoon Kajiki’s destruction in Southeast Asia, displaced millions and disrupted healthcare services.
South Asia faced one of its hottest early heatwaves, with temperatures nearing 50°C, leading to hundreds of deaths. Earthquakes in Afghanistan and Myanmar also resulted in thousands of fatalities and raised concerns about potential health outbreaks. These events highlighted the urgent need for stronger health systems to cope with the rising threats.
Despite these escalating challenges, funding for resilient health initiatives remains insufficient. Low-income countries receive only a fraction of the global finance available.
There were over $7 billion in commitments from donors in 2022 and an increase to $1.4 billion from multilateral development banks in 2023.
This is still far from the $11 billion needed each year to address health impacts in low- and middle-income countries.
Health adaptation and resilience are particularly underfunded, receiving less than 1% of global adaptation finance.
Additionally, many major donors are reducing their contributions.
Many wealthy nations are scaling back their commitments to global health.
Development assistance for health has hit a 15-year low, decreasing by more than 50% in 2024 from a peak of $80 billion in 2021.
Economic challenges, increasing debt, and changing political priorities are forcing governments to focus on domestic issues even as the need for support grows.
At the same time, the process for accessing the necessary finance is complicated, with strict requirements and lengthy approval times, making it tough for health institutions to apply for funds.
At this critical moment, immediate action is necessary to boost resilient health funding. Here are steps to help close the funding gap:
Increase Accessible Funding Options. Concessional loans and grants from development banks are crucial for resilient health financing.
By combining these funds with private investment, we can reduce risks and make projects more appealing to investors. This is especially important for renewable energy in hospitals and resilient healthcare systems.
Offer Diverse Funding Tools. Countries need a variety of financial instruments.
For example, debt-for-health swaps can redirect debt repayments to resilient health projects.
Insurance policies that pay out during extreme weather events can also provide quick financial relief when needed.
Support Project Preparation. Many health ministries lack the expertise to access the finance needed, even when funds are available.
Providing support to help countries identify funding sources and prepare strong proposals is essential. Initiatives that assist health systems in securing these funds should be expanded.
Highlight Health Benefits of Investments. Investments in areas like clean energy and sustainable agriculture often lead to significant health benefits, such as cleaner air and improved nutrition.
These co-benefits should be included in project planning to strengthen the case for funding.
Align Funding with National Strategies. Donors should ensure that their financing aligns with the priorities outlined in national plans.
Supporting governments in integrating resilient health programs into their budgets will make resources more sustainable and responsive to local needs.
Enhance Coordination Among Funders. Resilient health financing often suffers from fragmentation.
Better coordination among donors and financial institutions can streamline efforts, reduce duplication, and make funding more predictable.
Involve the Private Sector. Engaging businesses is crucial for scaling innovative solutions that address health challenges.
Partnerships between public and private sectors can bring new technologies to market that deliver both financial and social benefits.
To build resilient health systems, it is essential for development banks, governments, private investors, and health organizations to collaborate effectively.
With the stakes so high in Asia and the Pacific, urgent action is needed. Without it, the financial burden of health issues could reach trillions of dollars annually by 2050.
However, investing in adaptation can yield significant returns, particularly in health interventions.
By pursuing innovative financing strategies and fostering collaboration, we can create healthier futures and stronger economies.
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