World Bank approves $280 million health improvement program for Kerala

The World Bank has approved a $280 million health reform program for Kerala to increase health coverage for the elderly and vulnerable in the state.

The decision was taken by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the bank said in a press note on Friday, October 24.

The initiative, titled ‘Kerala Health System Reform Programme’, aims to improve the quality of life of over 11 million population of elderly and vulnerable categories.

$280 million will help the government expand digital health systems by expanding eHealth services, strengthening integrated data platforms, and enhancing cybersecurity.

The program aims to fill the gaps in the treatment of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. The bank said that more than 90% of patients registered for hypertension and diabetes will be supported through the individual electronic tracking mechanism.

It also aims to fill the gaps in the emergency and trauma care system by providing timely services to approximately 8.5 million people.

A home-based care model structure is also planned to assist the bed-ridden, home-bound and vulnerable elderly population through comprehensive health services.

The initiative will also focus on providing essential health services to women. “This program will ensure a 40% increase in patients whose hypertension is controlled and a 60% increase in cervical and breast cancer screening for women to accelerate efforts to end preventable deaths,” Paul Prossie, the World Bank’s acting director in India, said in a statement.

The program will be implemented in collaboration with local government bodies like Municipal Corporation and Gram Panchayat. They will be made aware about adopting standard protocols and procedures for dealing with disease outbreaks as well as the use of antibiotics.

The bank said primary health facilities in several districts like Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Palakkad and Alappuzha will adopt climate-based solutions to improve energy efficiency and manage extreme heat and flood conditions.

$280 million will be provided as a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for a period of 25 years.