PHNOM PENH, Nov. 23 (FN) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of 21 million U.S. dollars to enhance Cambodia's responses to emerging infectious diseases and the management of other major public health threats.

The loan is part of a 117-million-U.S. dollar package that ADB has arranged for four countries - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam - in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

"The loan to Cambodia will support the Ministry of Health's efforts to further digitize its disease surveillance system and strengthen outbreak rapid response teams in remote areas," the Manila-based lender said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The loan will also equip laboratories and improve infection prevention and control at district hospitals along borders and economic corridors," it added.

Gerard Servais, senior health specialist at ADB's Southeast Asia department, said the four countries in the GMS have grown significantly over the last few years, but their health systems remain underdeveloped to effectively address disease outbreaks.

"The project will help address weaknesses in these countries' health systems and promote cross-country cooperation to improve national and international health security," he said.

According to the statement, the four countries are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of emerging diseases including SARS, bird flu, corona virus, malaria, and dengue due to weak health systems and increased mobility of people and trade across borders.

"The project will strengthen public health security mechanisms including surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory quality and biosafety, and health services access," it said.

The project will last until the first quarter of 2022.