Press Release No:2005/558/AFR
Washington DC, June 30, 2005 -- The
World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved an International
Development Association (IDA) grant of US$24 million to support the Government
of Eritrea's efforts to continue to improve the health status of its citizens,
especially in reducing maternal mortality, and fighting malaria, tuberculosis
and HIV/AIDS/STI.
The Eritrea HIV/AIDS/STI, TB, Malaria and Reproductive Health Project (HAMSET II) aims to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections with particular attention to high-risk populations, improve detection and treatment for tuberculosis (TB), reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of malaria, and improve reproductive health coverage.
"The government is strongly committed to improving its citizen's health and to the fight against HIV/AIDS/STI, TB and malaria in particular," said Christopher Walker, the World Bank Task Team Leader of the project.
"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 on-going HAMSET project. HAMSET II is also the first repeater project under the Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) of the Africa Region," Walker added.
The project will continue to empower communities to take charge of their health by supporting community subprojects, providing capacity development along with subproject implementation, strengthening the coordination between community subprojects and other implementers, and ensuring effective use of resources. The project will be implemented nationally in all 6 districts with targeted attention where needed.
HAMSET II will support the national strategic plan for HAMSET diseases as well as training and other systemic human resource issues for health service providers. The project will also improve the collection of information for decision makers, scale up prevention interventions for each disease, and scale up diagnosis, treatment, and care and support services.
For more information on the World Bank's work in Africa visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr/
For more information on the World Bank's work in Eritrea visit: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/ERITREAEXT/0,,menuPK:351392~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:351386,00.html
For more information about this project visit:http://web.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64027221&piPK=64027220&theSitePK=351386&menuPK=351420&Projectid=P094694
Media Contact
In Washington:
Aby Toure 202 473 8302
akonate@worldbank.org
Herbert Boh
(202) 473 3548
hboh@worldbank.org