The World Bank has decided to release the next $ 15 million for the Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project now in progress in Sri Lanka, Senior Communication Officer of the project, Janaka Suneth Bandara said.
According to Bandara, the decision had been announced during a recent progress review meeting at the Health Ministry with the participation of Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank’s Colombo Office, Consultant Dr. Deepika Attygalle, Project Director, Dr. Jayasundara Bandara and other officials.
A World Bank team toured the country recently to inspect the progress of the project and observed that it has met the targets set so far. Hence, it was decided to release the funds, he said.
The Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project will improve 63 state hospitals and other state health institutions by the end of 2020 under the guidance of the Health Ministry. The program is gradually achieving its target, he added.
World Bank sources said the objective of the project is to improve the quality of primary health care services, with emphasis on detection and management of non-communicable diseases in high-risk population groups, in selected areas in the country.