Manila, July 8 (AseanAll)  — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda announced the launch of the Universal Health Coverage Practitioners and Experts Knowledge Exchange and Resources (UHC PEERS), a regional peer-to-peer learning network to accelerate universal health coverage across Asia and the Pacific. The announcement was made during ADB’s INclusive, Sustainable, Prosperous, and REsilient (INSPIRE) Health Systems in Asia and the Pacific Health Forum, bringing together more than 25 developing member countries, including health ministers from nine countries.

“Achieving universal health coverage is not something that we can delay further, and it is within our reach if we work together to build a region where everyone, everywhere, has access to the care they need, without financial hardship,” said Mr. Kanda. “Universal health coverage lies at the heart of resilient, sustainable, and inclusive development.”

The UHC PEERS network addresses a gap in regional health cooperation by providing a platform for countries to share solutions for extending coverage to underserved populations. More than 1 billion people across Asia and the Pacific still lack access to basic health services, with millions pushed into poverty due to health-care costs.

UHC PEERS will complement the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo and enable countries to learn from health financing reforms, service delivery innovations, and coverage expansion. The network will facilitate exchanges on reaching remote populations, integrating private sector providers, and developing sustainable financing. Through peer learning, countries can adapt successful approaches while avoiding common pitfalls.

Mr. Kanda emphasized the economic imperative of health investments, noting that “every $1 invested in primary health care yields up to $10 in economic growth.”

The launch reflects growing regional consensus on UHC as a development priority, as health systems face pressures from aging populations, rising noncommunicable diseases, and persistent infectious diseases.

Beyond UHC PEERS, the five-day INSPIRE Health Forum marks an expansion of ADB’s health engagement, also addressing pandemic preparedness and health system resilience, drawing lessons from COVID-19. Through ministerial exchanges, innovation showcases, and financing partnerships, the forum will document best practices for ADB’s future programming.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.