Role of Philanthropy in Life-Changing Moment for Self-Reliance in Asian Health Care - Assisting Countries in Their Own Health Management
In a significant move towards enhancing health and human development in the Asia Pacific region, the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) has announced the launch of the Health for Human Potential (HHP) Community. This initiative aims to mobilize over US$100 million in catalytic funding to improve health outcomes in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam by 2030 [1].
The HHP Community, supported by organizations such as the Gates Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, Temasek Trust, and others, is designed to foster collaboration and investment in health projects in these countries. The focus on these Southeast Asian nations is strategic, given their status as the region's most populous countries, where significant gains in healthcare have been made but further collaboration and investment are needed [1].
Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly becoming a concern, with the global potential loss of income due to extreme heat reaching a record-high of US$835 billion in 2023, according to the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report. Outdoor workers, such as salt farmers in India, are particularly vulnerable during heat waves, with little understanding of the extreme heat's impact on mental health.
The HHP Community will initially focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, where efforts to combat health and nutrition challenges are of utmost importance. In Indonesia, under President Prabowo Subianto's leadership, a free nationwide school meal programme has been launched. Child stunting in Indonesia has decreased by more than 15% in just a decade.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting developing countries in sustaining health services, but Dr Ghebreyesus urged philanthropists to work with countries to address their health issues and build their capacities. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, called for a rethink of the type of support that could help governments navigate challenges in the long term, suggesting a move away from dependency on aid to self-reliance.
Experts are emphasizing the need for swift, coordinated efforts to safeguard long-term progress and mitigate setbacks due to global pressures on traditional paths to development. The increasing frequency of climate shocks and disasters adds another layer of vulnerability that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable children.
At the turn of the century, one quarter of children in East Asia and the Pacific was chronically undernourished; today, the number is at one in seven - a decrease of 20 million children on a healthier and more productive path. The Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025 was attended by health and government leaders who discussed the importance of new forms of partnerships, including deeper collaboration across governments, the private sector, and philanthropy.
The Climate & Health Funders' Coalition, an alliance working closely with PAA, shared its insights on the impact of heat risks on health systems. Meanwhile, the Rockefeller Foundation is now looking into helping workers protect their livelihoods under extreme heat, having previously worked on challenges such as the country's housing crisis and improving agricultural yields. The Indonesian government regards stunting as a structural issue and is piloting a system of cooperation and food production to support more local community efforts.
The HHP Community, along with other initiatives from PAA, aims to complement earlier efforts in areas such as blue oceans, sustainable land use, and inclusive education. By focusing on health and nutrition challenges, PAA hopes to make a significant contribution to the region's development and the well-being of its people.
[1] Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) website: https://www.philanthropyasia.org/
Sources:
- Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) website: https://www.philanthropyasia.org/
- The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00354-7/fulltext
- Gates Foundation press release: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/media-center/press-releases/2024/01/gates-foundation-announces-new-initiative-to-improve-health-outcomes-in-asia-by-2030
- World Health Organization (WHO) website: https://www.who.int/
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) website: https://www.unicef.org/
- Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025 website: https://www.philanthropyasiasummit.org/
- Indonesian government's free school meal programme: https://www.indonesia.go.id/
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, speech at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/philanthropy-asia-summit-2025
- UN figures on child undernourishment: https://www.unicef.org/media/files/Child_Malnutrition_Factsheet_2023.pdf
- Climate & Health Funders' Coalition website: https://climateandhealthfunders.org/
- Rockefeller Foundation website: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/
- Indonesian government's stunting reduction efforts: https://www.kemenkes.go.id/
- President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's speech at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025: https://www.philanthropyasia.org/tharman-shanmugaratnam-speech-at-the-philanthropy-asia-summit-2025/
- The HHP Community, supported by organizations like the Gates Foundation, recognizes the need for corporate responsibility in addressing carbon emissions, a key driver of climate change, as part of a broader energy transition toward sustainable and healthier environments.
- With the rise of medical-conditions related to climate change, such as heat-related illnesses, collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and philanthropy, as exemplified by the HHP Community, becomes crucial for advancing health-and-wellness research and interventions.
- In the context of the Asian Pacific region's health development, the HHP Community's initiatives on climate change and environmental science are integral, ensuring the preservation of resource availability for nutrition and long-term development.
- Given the interrelated nature of climate change, medical-conditions, and the health of populations, the HHP Community's endeavors span diverse domains, including science, medical research, and nutrition, to guarantee a healthy and productive future for the region's children and communities.
- Coalescing efforts within the HHP Community and other aligned initiatives, such as the Climate & Health Funders' Coalition, could expedite the region's response to climate change, mitigating its adverse impact on human health and economic stability, ultimately creating a more resilient and sustainable Asia Pacific.
