(UTV|COLOMBO) – The Government has mobilised Grant and Concessional Loan assistance amounting to USD 50 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the efficiency, equity and responsiveness of the primary healthcare system in Sri Lanka in line with the National Strategic Framework for Development of Health Services (2016 – 2025).
The proposed health system enhancement project will be implemented in four provinces namely Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North Central with geographically, socially and economically deprived populations. The proposed ADB financing is comprised of a grant of USD 12.5 million and a concessional loan of USD 37.5 million. The total investment cost of the Project is USD 60 million and the Government’s contribution to the project is USD 10 million.
The objective of the proposed project will be achieved through the following key outputs; (i) primary health care enhanced in the four Provinces through rehabilitation of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in District Hospitals (DH) and Primary Medical Care Units (PMCUs), procurement of vehicles for the medical officers for supervision and outreach services and Increased public awareness and behaviour change to use primary health care, (ii) health and disease surveillance strengthened through adopting health information technology for continuity of care and implementing of IHR recommendation, (iii) policy development, capacity building and project management supported.
Dr. R. H. S. Samarathunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Ms. Sri Widowati, Country Director of ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission on behalf of the ADB, today signed the Loan Agreement and the Grant Agreement to obtain USD 37.5 million and USD 12.5 million respectively at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.
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