World Bank gives sh260b health loan
Jun 03, 2010
THE World Bank has provided a $130m (about sh260b) loan for improvement of health infrastructure on condition that the country prioritises maternal health, the health ministry’s permanent secretary has said.
By Anne Mugisa
THE World Bank has provided a $130m (about sh260b) loan for improvement of health infrastructure on condition that the country prioritises maternal health, the health ministry’s permanent secretary has said.
Dr. Kenya Mugisha was addressing participants during a dialogue between medical experts and MPs on ways to increase access to health.
The health experts want a policy that will allow the use of non-medically trained health care workers to deliver some services to bridge the manpower gap.
The finance ministry will present the loan to Parliament and if approved, the Ministry of Health will access the money and start work.
At least $30m (sh60m) of the loan will go to maternal and reproductive health. The World Bank board approved the loan on May 25, according to Mugisha.
He said the money will also be used to improve infrastructure, provide accommodation for health workers and purchase medical equipment and ambulances. Maternity wings will be made a priority.
A statement from the bank’s Kampala office, said the aim is to strengthen Uganda’s public health systems through improved human resources, provide physical infrastructure and better accountability for service delivery.
It said the Uganda Health Systems Strengthening Project will support the Government to renovate hospitals, improve management of health workers, strengthen leadership in the sector and provide reproductive health care, including family planning services.
Quoting the World Bank’s country manager, Kundhavi Kadiresan, the statement said: “Uganda has registered improvements in health, though at a much slower pace than other countries in the region.â€
Kadiresan noted that maternal mortality rate is estimated at 435 deaths per 100,000 births, while the infant mortality rate is estimated at 76 deaths per 1,000 births. Stunting in children under five is estimated at 32%.
THE World Bank has provided a $130m (about sh260b) loan for improvement of health infrastructure on condition that the country prioritises maternal health, the health ministry’s permanent secretary has said.
Dr. Kenya Mugisha was addressing participants during a dialogue between medical experts and MPs on ways to increase access to health.
The health experts want a policy that will allow the use of non-medically trained health care workers to deliver some services to bridge the manpower gap.
The finance ministry will present the loan to Parliament and if approved, the Ministry of Health will access the money and start work.
At least $30m (sh60m) of the loan will go to maternal and reproductive health. The World Bank board approved the loan on May 25, according to Mugisha.
He said the money will also be used to improve infrastructure, provide accommodation for health workers and purchase medical equipment and ambulances. Maternity wings will be made a priority.
A statement from the bank’s Kampala office, said the aim is to strengthen Uganda’s public health systems through improved human resources, provide physical infrastructure and better accountability for service delivery.
It said the Uganda Health Systems Strengthening Project will support the Government to renovate hospitals, improve management of health workers, strengthen leadership in the sector and provide reproductive health care, including family planning services.
Quoting the World Bank’s country manager, Kundhavi Kadiresan, the statement said: “Uganda has registered improvements in health, though at a much slower pace than other countries in the region.â€
Kadiresan noted that maternal mortality rate is estimated at 435 deaths per 100,000 births, while the infant mortality rate is estimated at 76 deaths per 1,000 births. Stunting in children under five is estimated at 32%.