Policy for the Health Sector

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities facing the health sector in the Asian and Pacific region over the next decade. To have an impact on the overall health of Asians, a number of significant challenges need to be met. Chief among them is improving the health of the poor, women, and other vulnerable groups so that they too can participate in economic and social development. While the challenges are great, so too are the opportunities. New and affordable technologies advances, such as vitamin A supplementation that can reduce child mortality rates by 23 percent, and accumulating knowledge about managing, organizing, and financing health care, offer tremendous opportunities to dramatically improve the health conditions in the region. Making a difference to the health of these vulnerable groups will require an emphasis on tangible goals and practical means for accomplishing them. Focusing on measurable results will help the Bank and its developing member countries (DMCs) meet the challenges they face.