In East Asia and Pacific (EAP), access to health care is crucial for unlocking human potential, expanding job opportunities and creating thriving, resilient communities.
The region faces significant health challenges including a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and persistent communicable diseases. Despite progress in maternal and child health, disparities remain and child malnutrition is still a major issue. Geographical barriers and health inequities are affecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children in hard-to-reach communities.
Investments in health systems have helped to improve access to essential health services in many countries across the region. Women and children now routinely benefit from maternal care and life-saving immunizations. Individuals living with NCDs are accessing better-equipped health facilities, where modern technologies allow for more accurate assessments and ongoing care. Meanwhile, health workers are receiving training and boosting their skills to become competitive in the job market.
Backed by the World Bank Group (WBG) and partners, these collective efforts are transforming lives, paving the way for a more prosperous future for millions.
World Bank Group Support
The World Bank supports significant investments in health as a driver of human capital and economic growth. Key initiatives focus on strengthening health systems to expand access to quality services such as nutrition, maternal and child health and NCDs. At the same time, the World Bank generates new knowledge to inform policymakers on key reforms and provides technical assistance for implementation.
The private sector can play a crucial role in complementing public efforts to tackle the escalating challenge of non-communicable diseases in Asia-Pacific. The International Finance Corporation (IFC)—the WBG’s private sector arm—works alongside governments to leverage private sector innovation, efficiency, and capital to foster best practices in health care and life sciences, promote the deployment of innovative technologies, and advance quality care.
Initiatives and Impact
With a US$42.2 billion active health portfolio across the region, the World Bank supports EAP countries to address their most pressing health challenges.
A few examples of countries making progress in health include:
- Indonesia has launched a comprehensive health system transformation plan to provide quality care to its 284 million residents across 6,500 islands. The Indonesia Health System Strengthening Project—a US$4 billion effort co-financed by three other major multilateral banks ((ADB, AIIB and IsDB)—is the country's largest health investment, aiming to equip 360,000 public health facilities with life-saving equipment. Additional initiatives include the 2023 UHC Policy Loan that strengthened the health workforce and expanded insurance to 230 million people, and the Investing in Nutrition and Early Years Program, which helped reduce child stunting from 30.8% to 19.8% between 2018 and 2024 by reaching over 1 million women and 5 million children. The Strengthening Tuberculosis Response Program achieved 78% treatment coverage and 84% treatment success in 2024, exceeding targets. Economic analysis projects that every dollar invested in health will yield $2.80 in GDP, with the sector expected to directly create 2 million jobs and indirectly support 3 million more by 2030. Read more on Indonesia’s health programs.
