The Kyrgyz Republic to gain better primary health care, with World Bank support

The World Bank’s Board of Directors endorsed a new Primary Health Care Quality Improvement Program for the Kyrgyz Republic, to the amount of US$ 20 million from the International Development Association (IDA), including US$ 10 million as a concessional credit and US$ 10 million as a grant. An additional grant of US$ 17 million is also being provided by a Multi-Donor Trust Fund supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the German Development Bank (KfW).

“The project supports the Kyrgyz Republic’s new health strategy for 2019-2030, Healthy Person – Prosperous Country,” said Bolormaa Amgaabazar, World Bank Country Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic. “We are investing in primary health care because it is the fundamental foundation of the health system, reaching the largest share of the population. Since most services in primary health care are free or have a low copayment, the project will have a strong indirect effect on equity, as it will be more likely to benefit the poor.”

Health has long been a priority in the Kyrgyz Republic, and access to health services is widespread. Moreover, the country has conducted successive health system reforms since 1996, and currently spends over 8 percent of its GDP on health. Indeed, the country has achieved better health outcomes compared to other countries with a similar income level. The Kyrgyz population enjoys a longer life expectancy today, increasing from 66.5 years in 1996 to 71.0 years in 2016, due to significant progress in reducing under-5 mortality, improvements in undernourishment, and reduction in prevalence of tuberculosis.

Despite these achievements, however, health outcomes among the population could be significantly improved, especially with regard to maternal mortality, neonatal and maternal disorders, and non-communicable diseases.

The Primary Health Care Quality Improvement Program will be implemented throughout 2019-24 by the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Health and Mandatory Health Insurance Fund. In line with the Kyrgyz authorities’ emphasis on eliminating corruption in the public sector, the World Bank will apply its anti-corruption measures to ensure transparency in the project implementation process and proper use of finances.

Original source: World Bank
Published on 07 June 2019