June 24, Colombo: The lending arm of the World Bank on Tuesday approved a US$24 million credit to provide further support to improve the health care in Sri Lanka, especially to meet the health needs of the Internally Displaced Persons in the North and East.
Issuing a press release today the World Bank said with the end of the war the country is facing challenges in its efforts to resettle and reconstruct the region. Providing basic health services to the 285,000 displaced and to the conflict-affected people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is an immediate challenge, it said.
According to the World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka, Ms. Naoko Ishii half the amount, US$12 million will be allocated to meet the health needs of the conflict-affected population in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
"This reflects the Bank's commitment to addressing consequences of the conflict whenever we can," Ms. Ishii said.
“An upcoming health needs assessment for the north and east will determine the specific activities the project will finance, but it could include mobile clinics at IDP camps, rehabilitation of disabled, treatment of traumatized persons, and other immediate priorities,” she added.
According to the World Bank, the project will continue to support decentralization of health service delivery, including strengthening of district and provincial capacity for planning and implementation of health programs. It will also support efforts to improve service delivery and renovate health facilities, provide training for health workers, and provision of medical supplies and equipment.
The US$24 million credit, which is an addition to the International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$60 million approved in 2004 to Health Sector Development Project (HSDP), has 20 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period.
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