World Bank backs Tamil Nadu health project

Friday, 17 December 2004, 20:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: The World Bank has approved a loan of $110.83 million to help Tamil Nadu improve the effectiveness of its health system, both public and private. The loan given by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary lending arm, carries with it a 0.75 percent service charge, a 10-year grace period, and a 35-year maturity, IDA said Friday. "Tamil Nadu has made significant progress in improving the health status and increasing access to health care services in the last decades," said World Bank senior public health specialist Preeti Kudesia. "Nonetheless, it continues to face major challenges such as stagnating infant and maternal mortality rates, a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, poor quality of care, equity issues, and low levels of health financing in the state," she said. To respond to these challenges, the Tamil Nadu government developed a policy in 2003 that focuses on improving the health of the general population with special emphasis on low-income communities and families over the next two decades. The World Bank's involvement is expected to introduce new approaches in the Tamil Nadu health sector functions, including addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. The project will also ensure comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care in an aggressive strategy to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates. Areas that are remote or inhabited by tribal people will receive support first.
Source: IANS