World Bank provides funds for healthcare project

The World Bank (WB) has joined a $14.7 billion project in Bangladesh's healthcare sector as part of the Washington-based multilateral lender's efforts to bring about qualitative social development in the country.

The WB will provide $515 million for the project. Economic Relations Division Secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal Qimiao Fan signed an agreement in this regard at the planning ministry.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister for Health Zahid Maleque and State Minister for Finance and Planning M Mannan were also present.

The Health Sector Support Project will contribute to the government's fourth health sector programme and support strengthening the country's health system.

It will also help in improving quality and coverage of essential services and enhancing equity, in particular, through a focus on service improvements in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions, where key health indicators are below national averages.

The project will support the government in consolidating progress and filling remaining gaps in basic health services.

The services include the provision of quality delivery care in public health facilities for over 800,000 mothers, as well as basic immunisation coverage for nearly 5 million children in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions between 2017 and 2022.