By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Asian Development Bank (ADB) here on Friday inked a financing agreement worth US$100 million for ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Systems Strengthening Program.
The financing agreement was signed by Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kazim Niaz and Country Director, Pakistan Resident Mission, Yong Ye A while the program agreement was also signed between the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ADB for the implementation of the Program in the province.
The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Minister for Economic, Political Affairs and Law and Justice, according to press statement issued by the ministry.
According to the details, the results-based loan program would help improve the delivery of health services at secondary hospitals by modernizing infrastructure and equipment; ensuring clinical protocols, standards, and guidelines are implemented; and improving human resources planning and medicine supply chain management. The program aims to transform Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Secondary Healthcare (SHC) System by upgrading infrastructure of 33 existing SHC facilities; providing quality equipment and ensuring posting and availability of medical, technical, and administrative staff.
It would also ensure efficient outsourcing of certain services to the private sector; introducing and enhancing health management information systems including electronic medical records; and introducing quality assurance regimes. The program would benefit an estimated 38 million people, including women in need of maternal health care services while reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.
In October, 2022, Ministry of Economic Affairs had also signed US$ 1.5 Billion with the Asian Development Bank while US$ 475 Million are also being repurposed from the existing development for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood affected infrastructure in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
On the occasion, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reiterated the commitment of the federal government to help the provincial governments in ‘Building Back Better’ in the post-flood scenario by arranging concessional financing from the international development partners.
