World Bank approves US $40 million for health programme

The World Bank has approved funding of US $40 million for a Health Sector Development Programme in Mali. It said in a statement that the programme would expand Malian access to affordable, quality health care, with a special focus on primary health. This would include preventive, social, and curative services with emphasis on maternity care, integrated management of childhood illnesses, family planning, and nutrition. The US $227 million Health Sector Development Programme will be financed by a US $40 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s lending arm for the poorest countries. The IDA credit is on standard terms of 40 years maturity, including 10 years grace. Other financiers include UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and several bilateral donors. The balance of the programme will be financed by the government.