The World Bank Strategy for Health, Nutrition, and Population in the East Asia and Pacific Region

The main objective of the health, nutrition, and population (HNP) strategy is to improve the Bank's effectiveness in HNP in the East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) region. To this end, the challenge is the shape the strategic direction of Bank-supported operations and while taking into account lessons learned from previous Bank experience in the region. The strategy identifies three key priority choices for the region: 1) Improving the health, nutrition, and population outcomes of the poor; 2) enhancing the performance of health care systems; and 3) securing sustainable health care financing. The strategy development process will be ongoing and dynamic, building on best practices and experiences in the region and internationally. This paper is a first step toward that objective. The next steps would involve consultation with other partners in the region and internal assessment of the implications of the strategy for the Bank's work in HNP in the EAP.