The World Bank has announced an additional $11.45 million in funding to enhance primary health care services in the Kyrgyz Republic. This new financing will bolster the ongoing Primary Health Care Quality Improvement Program, which is a collaborative effort involving the World Bank, the German Development Bank (KfW), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The initiative aims to strengthen the country's healthcare system and improve access to essential health services.
"This additional financing will help boost the quality and range of primary health care services and strengthen the system in the long term in the Kyrgyz Republic. It will address critical gaps in essential equipment, improve healthcare waste management, strengthen digital health interventions, and enhance health worker management capacity and skills," stated Hugh Riddell, World Bank Group Country Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic.
The funds are earmarked for two main areas within the program. A total of $9.05 million will be used to enhance diagnostic and clinical capabilities by supplying essential equipment like electrocardiograms and X-ray units. Additionally, it will provide medical waste processing equipment to improve healthcare waste management. These investments aim to advance maternal and child health as well as non-communicable disease services at primary care facilities.
An extra $2.4 million is allocated for implementing IT systems such as electronic medical records, developing continuous professional development materials, updating guidelines on aspects like health financing and quality improvement at primary care levels, and investing in building health worker capacity. These measures are intended to reinforce the Ministry of Health's capabilities and expedite program implementation for more effective health outcomes.
The funding comes entirely from grants provided by two trust funds: one being a multi-donor fund underpinned by contributions from Germany through KfW Development Bank. The project execution is planned until June 2027 under strict international standards covering procurement, financial management regulations, and anti-corruption guidelines by both the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyz Republic and Mandatory Health Insurance Fund.
The World Bank’s mission focuses on eradicating extreme poverty while promoting shared prosperity globally. In Kyrgyzstan alone, its portfolio includes 23 projects aimed at modernizing various sectors with commitments surpassing $1.7 billion.