Overview
ESCAP is implementing a project on “Regional integration and cooperation to promote affordable and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics in the Asia-Pacific region”, from 2023 to 2026.
The target countries in Asia and the Pacific are: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, the Philippines and Sri Lanka; the good practice countries are: Malaysia and Thailand.
The project aims to This project aims to strengthen the capacity of selected countries in Asia and the Pacific to develop coherent policies and practical strategies for trade, investment and technology transfer to address inequities in the availability of and access to essential medical products (vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics) through domestic policy reform and regional cooperation mechanisms. It also aims to support countries in addressing the social determinants of health and enhancing progress on the path to universal access to health care, with a focus on those in greatest need and facing the greatest barriers, including women, older persons, persons with disabilities and those in rural/remote areas.
Workshops
Inception Workshop, Regional integration and cooperation to promote affordable and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics in the Asia-Pacific region
5 Jul 2023
Virtual inception workshop to bring together researchers and experts to discuss regional perspectives on access to essential medical products, as well as national-level opportunities, developments and needs in this area. The deliberations informed further activities of the project.
Regional Workshop on Developing Health Systems that are Equitable and Sustainable, and Responsive to Demographic Change
5 to 6 Feb 2026
In-person workshop to provide a platform for sharing useful experiences related to progress, challenges, opportunities and recommendations to strength national systems and achieve universal health coverage, as w well as to introduce tools, in particular e-learning, to disseminate practical knowledge on making universal healthcare services more available, affordable and accessible.
Publications
Regional integration and cooperation to promote affordable and equitable access to vaccines, dianostics and therapeutics in the Asia-Pacific region
9 November 2026
From 28 to 29 May 2026, ESCAP hosted the concluding meeting of the project: “Regional Integration and Cooperation to Promote Affordable and Equitable Access to Vaccines, Diagnostics and Therapeutics in the Asia-Pacific Region”. The meeting was attended by government officials and experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by member States in the areas of trade, investment and health systems. Good practices and perspectives were shared, with the aim of achieving affordable and equitable access to medical products, in addition to the development of a collective Call for Action.
Availability, affordability and accessibility of universal health-care services in Asia and the Pacific: a policy analysis
15 December 2024
This paper focuses on the three key health indicators: service coverage, financial protection and health workforce availability, as well as their implications for the availability, accessibility, acceptability and affordability of comprehensive health-care services, including for vulnerable population groups in seven countries — Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Strengthening health systems for long-term care in Asia and the Pacific : a policy analysis
2 December 2025
Rapid population ageing in the Asia-Pacific region has made long-term care (LTC) a critical healthcare priority, yet in-depth regional analysis of LTC challenges and opportunities remains limited. This paper focuses on LTC system strengthening, examining seven target countries from an ESCAP project the paper relates to (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand) and draws lessons from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Videos
Blogs and Op-eds
The future of ageing: Advancing inclusive geriatric health through AI in Asia and the Pacific
National inclusion accounts: a tool to promote intergenerational equity
Building societies for all ages: why cooperation and solidarity matter
Latest News
ESCAP launches a new video highlighting the benefits of intergenerational support
Asia-Pacific governments endorse landmark Baku-Bangkok Declaration on advancing societies for all ages
