Announcement of Turkey Improves Provincial Health Services on May 15, 1989

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. *Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 89/61 Contact: Fawzi Rihane (202) 473-2675 TURKEY IMPROVES PROVINCIAL HEALTH SERVICES Washington, May 15, 1989 -- More than 6 million people in ten of the less developed Turkish provinces will benefit from a project aimed at improving the quality and delivery of basic health services and strengthening the management of the country's health-care system. The World Bank is supporting the project with a $75 million loan. The $146.3 million project will finance the construction of 500 health posts, 27 rural health centers, 33 urban health centers, four district hospitals, three public-health laboratories, and two vehicle-maintenance workshops. The project also includes the upgrading or completion of about 520 health posts, 332 health centers, 30 district hospitals and 14 health colleges, and acquisition of vehicles, medical equipment, furniture, textbooks and training materials. The project will also finance the development and implementation of a management information system and a manpower program for the health sector. The project is expected to improve the rural poor's access to basic health services and raise overall health conditions to a level that is more in proportion to the country's educational and income levels. Technical assistance, overseas and local training, and applied research will be provided under the project. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including five years of grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.65 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75 percent on the undisbursed balance. Note: Money figures are in U.S. dollar equivalents.