BACKGROUND :

The development of a Regional Technical Facility (RTF) on Social Health Protection is at the heart of the ILO Luxembourg financed project 'Support to the Extension of social health protection in Southeast Asia' outcomes. It is the first institution of its kind in this area ofwork in the Asia-Pacific Region. The RTF aims to support the extension of social health protection coverage at country and regional levels by strengthening the capacity of target countries to develop and implement strong, sustainable and comprehensive health policies, strategies and plans towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As a regional centre of excellence it will provide and promote good practices, leadership and joint research opportunities and will deliver training and technical assistance in the region. In order to increase regional capacity and knowledge on social health protection, the facility will promote South-South cooperation initiatives, as a complement to on-going national efforts and in support to already existing national policies.