|
|
 |
|
World Bank finances
health sector reform project in Lesotho Press Release No:2006/112/AFR |
|
Washington, October
12, 2005 - The World Bank today approved an International
Development Association (IDA) credit* of US$6.5 million to
support the Government of Lesotho's health sector reform
program.
The Health Sector Reform project will focus on policy and
institutional reforms for better service delivery in Lesotho,
and support the development of health financing policy and
financing reforms to increase efficiency of public expenditures.
It is also expected to explore pro-poor mechanisms to improve
the equity and sustainability of sector financing, promote
out-sourcing to achieve efficiency gains, develop performance
management system, and devise mechanisms for more effective
delivery of essential health services at district level and
below.
"The project's development objective is aligned with the overall
goal of the reform program to achieve a sustainable increase in
access to quality preventive, curative and rehabilitative health
services and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals,"
said Muhammad Ali Pate, World Bank Task Team Leader for the
project.
The first component of the project -Essential Health Services
Delivery-will focus on improving the effectiveness of the
delivery of priority health interventions at district and
community level.
The second component -Strengthening Human Resources-will support
innovative approaches required to address the severe constraints
in human resources, such as continuing education opportunities
for contracted medical officers and nurses and career
advancement opportunities.
The third component -Improving Efficiency of Health Sector
Financing, Financial Management and Planning-aims to support the
further development and implementation of a national health
sector financing policy which will address the role of the
public sector, efficiency in mobilization and allocation of
public financing and strategies for ensuring sustainable
financing.
The last component -Queen Elizabeth II Hospital-will support
preparations for the replacement of the Queen Elizabeth II
hospital.
The declining health status of the population in Lesotho calls
for urgent response from the Government and its partners in
development. The Health Sector Reform program is central to
efforts at revitalizing the health care delivery services, in
addition to the dealing with other cross-cutting issues outlined
the poverty reduction strategy.
* The credit is on standard International Development
Association (IDA) terms, with a commitment fee of 0.35 percent
and a service charge of 0.75 percent. The credit's period of
maturity is 40 years, including a 10-year period of grace
|
|
|
|
|
|
