Dr Viengmany Bounkham (right) and Mr Amr J Qari chair a workshop in Vientiane.

ADB-backed scheme to build climate-resilient health system

The Ministry of Health and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have launched the Green Primary Care Project, a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening Laos’ primary health care system and improving its ability to respond to climate change.
The project is backed by US$40 million in ADB financing, including a US$30 million loan and a US$10 million grant. The project aims to strengthen climate-resilient primary health care system, a gender-responsive, in the Lao PDR, contributing to the achievement of health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030..
The health ministry and ADB have convened a national workshop taking place in Vientiane on August 26-27 to advance implementation of the Green Primary Care Project, which will strengthen primary health care services in five climate-vulnerable provinces.
The workshop is attended by representatives from five provincial health offices and development partners to review and align the project’s five-year action plan and 2026 Annual Operational Plan.
The national workshop is also reviewing implementation progress and priorities for 2026, while identifying key issues and activities to be included in the 2027 Annual Operational Plan. The project supports the Five-Year’s Health Sector Development Plan (2026-2030) and the National Adaptation Plan for Health.
The meeting is expected to strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Health, provincial authorities and development partners and help ensure that resources and activities are effectively aligned as the project moves into full implementation.
The intiative supports the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Development Plan and National Adaptation Plan for Health and is aligned with ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy.
The project will be rolled out in Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Xiengkhouang, Savannakhet and Champasak provinces, where communities face significant climate risks and vulnerabilities.
Activities will focus on three areas: strengthening climate-resilient primary health care governance, improving climate-resilient health services, and increasing community resilience to climate-related risks.
This includes upgrading 27 health facilities to meet climate-resilience standards, providing medical equipment, improving primary health care services, and developing climate-related health policies and standards.
The project will also establish a climate-health data system, strengthen the capacity of health workers, and improve the availability of essential supplies for disaster response.
At the community level, it will support repairs to water systems and strengthen disaster preparedness and response capacity.
Country Operation Head of the ADB Lao PDR Resident Mission, Mr Amr J Qari, said “Climate change is no longer a future risk. It is already affecting communities across Laos through frequent floods, droughts, heat stress and changing weather patterns.” 
He emphasised that building a climate-resilient health system is both a development priority and a health imperative, while highlighting the Ministry of Health’s leadership and the contributions of stakeholders involved in planning the project.
Director General of Planning and Finance at the Ministry of Health, Dr Viengmany Bounkham, said the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the health system against climate change, particularly in high-risk communities.
The project became effective in February 2026 and is scheduled for completion in April 2030.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 28, 2026)