World Bank approves finances for Andhra Pradesh Health Systems Strengthening Project

NEW DELHI: The World Bank Board of executive directors on May 15, approved finances of the Andhra Pradesh Health Systems Strengthening Project. The World Bank and Central and State government signed the loan agreement for amount of $328 million. The loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a six-year grace period, and a maturity of 29 years and 6 months.

The project aims to improve the quality and responsiveness of public healthcare services in Community Health Centers and Primary Health Centers across all the 13 districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh benefitting around 53 million people. In addition, the project will also help in screening and management of non-communicable diseases and strengthen maternal and child healthcare services at these centers.

The project has three major components, the first component, “Improve Quality of Care” aims on improving the quality of care in Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs). The second component “Improve Responsiveness of Public Health Services” aims to make public health services more user friendly and responsive according to people’s feedback. The third component “Increase Access to an Expanded Package of Primary Health Services” aims on expanding the package of services provided at PHCs and Sub-centers (SCs) to include Non-communicable Disease (NCD) screening, risk-stratification and management in addition to strengthening the existing Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services.

The agreement was signed by Bandana Preyashi, Director – MI, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India; Poonam Malakondiah, Special Chief Secretary to the government, Health Medical & Family Welfare Department, State Project Director, APHSSP, Government of Andhra Pradesh; and Mohini Kak and Kari L. Hurt, representatives of the World Bank India.