World Bank approves health sector-support grant

The World Bank said on Thursday it had approved a grant of US $24 million to support Eritrea’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality, fight malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The funds would support Eritrea's HIV/AIDS/STI, TB, Malaria and Reproductive Health Project (HAMSET II), which aims to stem the spread of HIV, with particular attention to high-risk populations, the Bank said in a statement. The project is also intended to improve the detection and treatment of TB, reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of malaria, and strengthen reproductive health coverage. "The government is strongly committed to improving its citizens’ health and to the fight against HIV/AIDS/STI, TB and malaria in particular," Christopher Walker, the team leader of the project, said. "The government’s commitment is a critical element behind Eritrea’s progress in child health, malaria and HIV/AIDS, as well as the very successful implementation of the project," he added. HAMSET II is expected to support the national strategic plan and provide training and other systemic human resource issues for health service providers. It would also improve the collection of information for decision makers, scale up prevention interventions for each disease, and enhance diagnosis, treatment, care and support services.