Kathmandu, Apr. 7
The World Bank has approved a fast-track US$ 29 million support to
Nepal for COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project.
The support is provided to help the country prevent,
detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness. The agreement was signed by the
Ministry of Finance and the World Bank on Tuesday.
According to the WB, the project will focus on the immediate
response and preparedness needs to fight the virus.
"The project provides emergency support to enhance Nepal’s
capacity to detect cases and ensure prompt contact tracing consistent with
World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and Ministry of Health and
Population protocols," said WB Country Director for Nepal Faris
Hadad-Zervos in a video conference with the journalists on Tuesday.
It will also help set up new intensive care units, beds, and isolation
facilities across the country. The MoHP will implement the project.
The project will also equip designated health facilities with personal
protective equipment (PPE) and hygienic materials and increase the diagnostic
capacity of laboratories for responding to public health emergencies.
It will enhance the National Public Health Laboratory to handle harmful
infectious diseases and strengthen public institutions to coordinate and better
manage response activities in all three levels of government.
"We wanted to react quickly to enable Nepal combat with the crisis
with the necessary equipment and technical assistance when required," said
Zervos.
Finance Secretary Shishir Kumar Dhungana said that the support would help
Nepal respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen our capacities to deal
with future public health risks. “The arrangements made by the government, immediately
after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, to prevent and address the
possible crisis have affected the socio-economic activities," he said.
Dhungana anticipated further support from the multilateral donor to cope
with the emerging pandemic situation.
The project is financed from
the International Development Association (IDA), the WB's concessional credit window for
developing countries, through the World Bank Group’s COVID-19 Fast-Track
Facility.
It will be effective
immediately after the signing. It has also an option of WB-facilitated
procurement as and when required as per the request of the implementing agency.
The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the
COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery. The
immediate response includes financing, policy advice and technical assistance
to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.
As countries need broader support, the World Bank Group will deploy up to
$160 billion over 15 months to protect the poor and vulnerable, support
businesses, and bolster economic recovery, said Zervos.
Collective efforts
Meanwhile,
multilateral financial partners have held a meeting to discuss the ways to
support Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Zervos,
WB, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and
International Monetary Fund are in the club.
The second meet
between the development partners will be held on Friday and it will be attended
by Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada and Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank
Maha Prasad Adhikari.
The meeting will
deliberate on possible stimulus and recovery package needed for the economy.
“The World Bank and
its development partners are committed to helping Nepal beef up its health
infrastructure and access the resources it needs to fight the spread of
COVID-19 and protect the livelihoods of its people,” said Zervos.
However, he maintained
that it is early to make any conclusion about the damage the pandemic has caused
in the economy.
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