World Bank to give Uzbekistan $40 mln for healthcare

Interfax September 14 The board of directors of the World Bank last week approved a loan for Uzbekistan of $40 million to implement a healthcare project in the republic, a source in the World Bank in Tashkent told Interfax. The project, going by the name of Health-II is included in the program for financial cooperation between the World Bank and Uzbekistan in 2002-2004. The aim of this program is to develop primary healthcare in cities, and to improve financing and management systems. The loan will be paid out from the resources of the International Development Association, part of the World Bank group, as an interest-free loan for 35 years with a 10-year grace period. The Health-I project, started in 1998 with World Bank participation, will be completed by the end of this year. The aim of the project was to improve the work of ambulance services, strengthen financial structures and manage healthcare systems in rural areas in Navoii, Syrdarya, Khorezm and Fergan regions and Karakalpak autonomous republic. The World Bank paid out $30 million for this $69.7-mln project and the Uzbek government provided $39.7 million. The World Bank loan was provided for 20 years with a five year grace period, at the standard interest rate of about 7%.