Announcement of World Bank Supports Health Sector Development in Tanzania on December 16, 2003

World Bank Supports Health Sector Development in Tanzania Media contacts In Washington: Aby Toure (202) 473 8302 Email: Akonate@worldbank.org In Tanzania: Rosalie Ferrao (255-22) 211 4575 Rferrao@worldbank.org Washington, December 16, 2003 – The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved an IDA Grant of US$25 million together with an IDA Credit of US$40 million* to support the efforts of the Government of Tanzania in improving the quality and delivery of health services. The Health Sector Development Project aims to improve the management of health resources and the quality of health services through reforms and institutional capacity building within the sector. In 2000, the Government of Tanzania embarked upon a long-term program of reform of the health sector. The proposed project is the second in a series of projects expected to help the government expand these reforms and develop capacity for better management of resources, and quality improvement of decentralized management of health, nutrition and population services at the district level and below. It builds upon the success of the previous project. The project will complement resources provided by other partners to help reduce the financing gap in the health sector. It will also work to strengthen the management of resources (including government financing, donor support, community health funds, drug revolving funds, and health insurance), and improve equity of access to health services. Quality of and access to services will improve through better management and motivation of health professionals, partnerships with non- governmental providers, repairs and preventive maintenance of facilities, community participation, and the integration of HIV/AIDS interventions at all levels of service delivery. “The project demonstrates how the Bank and other development assistance partners can collaborate in support of a government-led reform initiative , said Julie McLaughlin, World Bank Task Team Leader for the Tanzania Health project. * The credit is on standard International Development Association (IDA) terms, with a commitment fee of 0.5%, a service charge of 0.75%, and a maturity of 40 years, including a 10-year period of grace. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Tanzania visit: www.worldbank.org/tz