The impact will be strengthened GMS public health security. The outcome will be improved GMS health system performance with regard to health security. The project locations are selected provinces along the borders and economic corridors. In these locations, health facilities typically serve not only the local population but also mobile and migrant populations in the region. Selection of project provinces is based on (i) economic status of the province; (ii) health and health services statistics; (iii) regional risks and priority clusters; and (iv) existing support from other development partners. The project will cover 13 provinces in Cambodia, 12 provinces in the Lao PDR, five states and regions in Myanmar, and 36 provinces in Viet Nam.

The project will have 3 outputs:

Output 1: Regional cooperation and communicable disease control in border areas improved. This output will strengthen APSED focus areas 1, 3, and 4 (para. 7). Under this output, the project will strengthen (i) regional, cross-border, and inter-sectoral information sharing and coordination of outbreak control among GMS countries, (ii) regional capacity for evidence-based CDC, (iii) development of better disease control strategies for MEVs in border areas, and (iv) improved CDC services for MEVs in hotspots along economic corridors in targeted border areas. The project will provide support for cross-border activities (including simulation exercises, and joint outbreak investigation and control), information exchange, inter-sectoral collaboration, strategic planning, disease control strategies for MEVs in border areas, outreach to MEVs, and improving access of MEVs to CDC services. The regional coordination unit, hosted by the MOH of the Lao PDR and financed under a regional technical assistance project, will provide technical support to CLMV for information exchange, disease control strategies for MEVs, and organization of regional events.

Output 2: National disease surveillance and outbreak response systems strengthened. This output will strengthen APSED focus areas 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 (para. 7). Under this output, the project will support (i) syndromic reporting at the community level; (ii) web-based reporting; (iii) linking of disease surveillance systems, including between clinical and laboratory surveillance; (iv) improving capacity for risk analysis, risk communication, and community preparedness; (v) improving capacity of outbreak response teams, including transport and equipment; and (vi) improving screening and quarantine capacity at border entry points and quarantine centers. The project will provide expertise for system design, capacity building, information technology equipment, vehicles, and equipment for screening and outbreak control.

Output 3: Laboratory services and hospital infection prevention and control improved. This output will strengthen APSED focus areas 3, 5, 6, and 8. Under this output, the project will support improving biosafety and quality of laboratory services, and expanding services for CDC. Project inputs will include (i) conducting staff training for provincial and district hospitals for internal quality improvement; (ii) preparing standard operating procedures; (iii) providing basic equipment, supplies, and minor repairs for laboratories and schools; (iv) setting up external quality assurance and audit systems for compliance with national biosafety and quality guidelines; and (v) setting up laboratory networks. The project will improve IPC at district hospitals through training in hospital hygiene and case management, provision of basic equipment, and minor repairs of wards.