Project Overview

BAHP & District Health Teams

Forty-five district health teams operating across seven border provinces, delivering integrated health services to the communities that need them most.

Project Background

A Partnership for Stronger Border Health

Approved in 2022, BAHP is a $40 million investment by the Asian Development Bank and the Lao PDR government to close the healthcare gap in border provinces, where health indicators consistently lag national averages by 20–35%.

1
ADB Loan Approval
ADB Board approved Loan 4132-LAO in September 2022 for $30 million, with a $10 million government counterpart contribution.
2
Project Launch
Effectiveness declared January 2023. Project Management Unit established at Ministry of Health, Vientiane.
3
Field Operations
District Health Teams mobilised across 7 provinces by Q2 2023, with full field operations underway across all 45 sub-project sites.
4
Project Completion (Planned)
Physical works and capacity building to be completed by December 2027, with loan closing in June 2028.
Community health outreach session in a border village of Lao PDR
7Border Provinces
45District Health Teams
2,400+Health Workers Trained
62Sub-project Sites
Field Implementation

How District Health Teams Work

Each DHT is a multidisciplinary team embedded within the district health system, coordinating civil works supervision, training delivery, and community outreach.

Team Composition

Each DHT includes a District Health Director, Civil Works Supervisor, Training Coordinator, Gender Focal Point, and Community Liaison Officer.

Mandate & Scope

DHTs oversee facility construction, coordinate equipment delivery, facilitate health worker training, and monitor community health outcomes at the district level.

Reporting & Accountability

DHTs submit monthly progress reports to the Provincial Health Department and quarterly reports to the PMU in Vientiane, feeding directly into ADB supervision missions.

Geographic Coverage

Seven Provinces, Seven Realities

Each border province presents unique geographic and epidemiological challenges. BAHP adapts its implementation to local contexts.

Phongsali
Border: China, Vietnam
On Track
3 DHTs8 Facilities
Luang Namtha
Border: China, Myanmar
On Track
4 DHTs7 Facilities
Bokeo
Border: Thailand, Myanmar
Minor Delays
3 DHTs6 Facilities
Savannakhet
Border: Vietnam, Thailand
On Track
8 DHTs12 Facilities
Saravan
Border: Vietnam
On Track
5 DHTs8 Facilities
Sekong
Border: Vietnam
Minor Delays
4 DHTs5 Facilities
Attapeu
Border: Vietnam, Cambodia
On Track
3 DHTs6 Facilities
BAHP project implementation timeline and schedule
Implementation Timeline

From Approval to Completion

BAHP follows a structured 6-year implementation schedule aligned with ADB's results framework and the Lao National Health Strategy 2030.

September 2022
ADB Board Approval
Loan 4132-LAO approved for $30M. Government counterpart financing confirmed.
January 2023
Loan Effectiveness & PMU Setup
Project Management Unit established at MOH. Key staff recruited and onboarded.
Q2–Q3 2023
DHTs Mobilised & Surveys Complete
All 45 DHTs operational. Baseline surveys and facility assessments completed across all 7 provinces.
2024–2026
Civil Works & Capacity Building
Peak implementation phase. Construction, equipment delivery, and training running concurrently.
2027
Completion & Handover
All physical works completed. Operations handed over to provincial health authorities.
June 2028
Loan Closing
Financial accounts closed. Project completion report submitted to ADB.
Who We Serve

Reaching the Most Vulnerable

BAHP's equity lens ensures that ethnic minority groups, women, children under 5, and people with disabilities are prioritised in all project activities.

52%
Ethnic minority beneficiaries across 7 provinces
48%
Female beneficiaries β€” gender parity by design
68K
Children under 5 reached by improved services
120+
Villages in the poorest decile now served