DBS and IHH Healthcare sign SGD 250 million sustainability-linked loan, with first-of-its-kind targets to advance responsible antibiotic use
Facility features a first-of-its kind target tied to improvements in antibiotic compliance rates across IHH Healthcare's four hospitals in Singapore
Initiative supports Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance
Singapore, 15 May 2026 - IHH Healthcare (IHH), a leading multinational healthcare network, today announced that it has secured an SGD 250 million sustainability-linked loan (SLL) from DBS.
The facility includes key performance indicators including a key metric promoting responsible antibiotic use across IHH’s four hospitals in Singapore: Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles and Parkway East. This is the first known use case in which sustainable financing has been linked to strengthening antibiotic stewardship.
Supporting antibiotic stewardship and patient safety
Responsible use of antibiotics is a key line of defense against the rise of drug-resistant bacterial infections caused by overuse or misuse[1] of antibiotics. These infections are harder to treat, place additional strain on healthcare systems and pose a growing threat to ageing populations worldwide[2].
As part of this effort, IHH is strengthening the tracking of antibiotic “time-outs” – follow-up reviews within 72 hours of starting treatment to assess whether antibiotics should be continued or adjusted. This improves patient outcomes while reducing the risk of drug resistance. Currently, antibiotic time-out compliance rates are not consistently tracked across the healthcare sector.
The initiative also supports Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance[3].
Leadership perspectives on sustainable antimicrobial resistance
Dilip Kadambi, Group Chief Financial Officer, IHH Healthcare, said: “The sustainability-linked loan with DBS reflects our belief that how we finance our growth matters as much as how we grow. By linking this facility to antibiotic stewardship – a clinical priority with profound implications for patient safety and public health – we are breaking new ground in what sustainable finance can achieve in the healthcare sector and bringing our Care. For Good. aspiration to life."
Adjunct Associate Professor Keith Lim, Group Chief Medical Officer, IHH Healthcare, added: “We are proud to contribute to Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance through this partnership with DBS. Strengthening efforts to tackle one of the most pressing global health threats today ensures that the care we deliver remains clinically effective, socially responsible and sustainable for generations to come.”
Dr Eugene Hong, Head of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Institutional Banking Group, DBS, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health risk that demands a concerted effort across the healthcare ecosystem. At DBS, we understand the complex pressures healthcare and pharmaceutical companies face as they balance patient outcomes and evolving sustainability needs. By integrating a first-of-its-kind key performance indicator directly linked to antibiotic stewardship into this sustainability-linked loan, we are not only demonstrating the power of innovative financing but also our commitment to supporting better clinical practices and improving population health outcomes. This transaction showcases how sustainable finance, championed by institutions like DBS, can evolve beyond traditional environmental metrics to catalyse progress on critical social and public health challenges within the healthcare sector."
The transaction reflects a shared commitment by IHH and DBS to advancing both financial discipline and responsible healthcare delivery, demonstrating how sustainable finance can support meaningful health outcomes.
[1] See: https://www.ncid.sg/Health-Professionals/Pages/Antimicrobial-Resistance.aspx
[2] In October last year, the World Health Organisation warned that rising levels of drug-resistant bacterial infections are undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatments. According to the organisation, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections globally in 2023 showed resistance to antibiotic treatments, raising concerns that common infections and minor injuries could become significantly more difficult to treat. See: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116337
[3] Key priorities under Singapore’s National Strategic Action on AMR include strengthening surveillance, improving infection prevention and control, advancing research, as well as optimising antimicrobial use across healthcare settings.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About IHH Healthcare (IHH)
IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court.
Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 76,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 190 healthcare facilities, including 89 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care.
In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. www.ihhhealthcare.com
The facility includes key performance indicators including a key metric promoting responsible antibiotic use across IHH’s four hospitals in Singapore: Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles and Parkway East. This is the first known use case in which sustainable financing has been linked to strengthening antibiotic stewardship.
Supporting antibiotic stewardship and patient safety
Responsible use of antibiotics is a key line of defense against the rise of drug-resistant bacterial infections caused by overuse or misuse[1] of antibiotics. These infections are harder to treat, place additional strain on healthcare systems and pose a growing threat to ageing populations worldwide[2].
As part of this effort, IHH is strengthening the tracking of antibiotic “time-outs” – follow-up reviews within 72 hours of starting treatment to assess whether antibiotics should be continued or adjusted. This improves patient outcomes while reducing the risk of drug resistance. Currently, antibiotic time-out compliance rates are not consistently tracked across the healthcare sector.
The initiative also supports Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance[3].
Leadership perspectives on sustainable antimicrobial resistance
Dilip Kadambi, Group Chief Financial Officer, IHH Healthcare, said: “The sustainability-linked loan with DBS reflects our belief that how we finance our growth matters as much as how we grow. By linking this facility to antibiotic stewardship – a clinical priority with profound implications for patient safety and public health – we are breaking new ground in what sustainable finance can achieve in the healthcare sector and bringing our Care. For Good. aspiration to life."
Adjunct Associate Professor Keith Lim, Group Chief Medical Officer, IHH Healthcare, added: “We are proud to contribute to Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance through this partnership with DBS. Strengthening efforts to tackle one of the most pressing global health threats today ensures that the care we deliver remains clinically effective, socially responsible and sustainable for generations to come.”
Dr Eugene Hong, Head of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Institutional Banking Group, DBS, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health risk that demands a concerted effort across the healthcare ecosystem. At DBS, we understand the complex pressures healthcare and pharmaceutical companies face as they balance patient outcomes and evolving sustainability needs. By integrating a first-of-its-kind key performance indicator directly linked to antibiotic stewardship into this sustainability-linked loan, we are not only demonstrating the power of innovative financing but also our commitment to supporting better clinical practices and improving population health outcomes. This transaction showcases how sustainable finance, championed by institutions like DBS, can evolve beyond traditional environmental metrics to catalyse progress on critical social and public health challenges within the healthcare sector."
The transaction reflects a shared commitment by IHH and DBS to advancing both financial discipline and responsible healthcare delivery, demonstrating how sustainable finance can support meaningful health outcomes.
[1] See: https://www.ncid.sg/Health-Professionals/Pages/Antimicrobial-Resistance.aspx
[2] In October last year, the World Health Organisation warned that rising levels of drug-resistant bacterial infections are undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatments. According to the organisation, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections globally in 2023 showed resistance to antibiotic treatments, raising concerns that common infections and minor injuries could become significantly more difficult to treat. See: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116337
[3] Key priorities under Singapore’s National Strategic Action on AMR include strengthening surveillance, improving infection prevention and control, advancing research, as well as optimising antimicrobial use across healthcare settings.
[END]
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About IHH Healthcare (IHH)
IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court.
Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 76,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 190 healthcare facilities, including 89 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care.
In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. www.ihhhealthcare.com
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