Global Fund and Asian Development Bank partner to advance universal healthcare within the Philippines – updates

Partner of the Global Fund and the Asian Development Bank to develop universal health care within the Philippines

May 20, 2026

– The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) today announced a $2 million co-financing agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Philippines in advancing universal health care and expanding access to quality health services.

This contribution follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the 2 organizations in April 2024 to strengthen health systems and advance universal health coverage (UHC) in Asia and the Pacific.

The cooperation between the Philippines, ADB and the Global Fund – which can last until December 31, 2027 – will strengthen the position of the Philippines Building a Universal Health Care (BUHC) program.by increasing national health financing and integrating HIV and tuberculosis (TB) services into national systems, supporting the country’s transition to sustainable UHC. The partnership will construct on ADB and the Global Fund’s expertise and country model to enhance access to primary health care and strengthen integrated control of communicable diseases among the many country’s most vulnerable populations.

UHC’s goal is to supply everyone, in every single place with access to high-quality health services without facing financial hardship. To achieve UHC, the main target have to be on ensuring that probably the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in society have access to the health services they need. For solutions to be effective and sustainable, communities have to be meaningfully engaged.

Globally, UHC service coverage has increased from 45% in 2000 to 68% in 2021. Seventy percent of this improvement is resulting from progress within the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria – primarily the scale-up of HIV treatment, in addition to the broader treatment of tuberculosis and the prevention of malaria through the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets.

The end of malaria is in sight within the Philippines because of many years of labor to supply a big selection of effective control interventions, similar to targeted, intensified case management, insecticide-treated nets and indoor insecticide spraying. As a result, a lot of the 82 provinces of the Philippines are malaria-free.

Although progress has been made within the fight against HIV and tuberculosis in some key areas, overall gains have been more limited.

The Philippines has considered one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics on the earth. Key populations at high risk of HIV infection are disproportionately affected, accounting for roughly 90% of cases. About one third of individuals with HIV haven’t been diagnosed, and difficulties in accessing treatment mean that many individuals with HIV aren’t yet on antiretroviral therapy. The country’s response to HIV infection is using epidemic-specific strategies to handle gaps in prevention and testing and supply greater gains in treatment enrollment and viral suppression.

Tuberculosis stays a serious public health threat within the Philippines. The World Health Organization recognizes the country as considered one of 30 countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis, accounting for roughly 6-7% of world tuberculosis cases. Although the variety of reports of tuberculosis cases is increasing, a big proportion of individuals with tuberculosis aren’t diagnosed or scheduled for treatment. Drug resistance, treatment gaps and geographic barriers presented by an archipelago of greater than 7,000 islands complicate efforts. Ensuring equitable access to health services, eliminating stigma and integrating TB and HIV care are key areas of focus, as is strengthening data systems, diagnostic infrastructure and community initiatives to enhance outcomes and reduce transmission.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while maintaining efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Founded in 1966, it has 68 members, including 49 from the region.

The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all. We raise and invest as much as $4 billion annually to fight the deadliest infectious diseases, challenge the injustices that fuel them, and strengthen health systems and pandemic preparedness in greater than 100 countries hardest hit by the pandemic. We unite world leaders, communities, civil society, health professionals and the private sector to search out solutions which have the best impact and convey them to scale globally. Since 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved the lives of 70 million people.