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ADB approves $100m to improve secondary healthcare in KP

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Programme aims to improve health services at secondary hospitals in KP, among other objectives.
ADB official says Pakistan faces unprecedented flooding, risk of waterborne diseases.
KP suffers from high infant and maternal mortality rates at 53 per 1,000 live births.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help strengthen the quality of secondary healthcare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The programme will help improve the delivery of health services at secondary hospitals by modernising infrastructure and equipment, ensuring clinical protocols, standards, and guidelines are implemented and improving human resources planning and medicine supply chain management, said an ADB press statement received on Thursday.

“While the coronavirus placed an enormous strain on essential health services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country, Pakistan now faces unprecedented flooding exacerbating the risk of waterborne diseases,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov.

“This programme will make a key contribution to improving the quality of secondary hospital services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and while it was conceived before the monsoon, it will also help people physically injured by the floods and support efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases,” Zhukov added.

According to the statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health sector faces significant challenges, including outdated secondary healthcare facilities and equipment and inadequate quality assurance standards and processes.

The province suffers from high infant and maternal mortality rates, at 53 per 1,000 live births and 165 per 100,000, respectively.

“ADB’s assistance will help sustain health reforms started by the provincial government and strengthen the resilience of the health systems to future pandemics,” said ADB Senior Health Specialist for Central and West Asia Hiddo Huitzing.

“It will benefit an estimated 38 million people, including women in need of maternal healthcare services, and will also create jobs in the health sector,” Huitzing added.

Since 1966, ADB has committed over $37 billion in loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and improve the country’s infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services.

In response to the floods, ADB is preparing a significant response package to support people, livelihoods, and infrastructure immediately and in the long-term.

The bank has already approved a $3 million grant to fund the immediate purchase of relief goods such as food supplies and tents. ADB is also processing a separate counter-cyclical package to help Pakistan weather the impacts of external shocks.

Latest News

SIFC Approves 50 MMCFD of Gas: Anticipated 35% Increase in LPG Imports

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

The Special Investment Facilitation Council continues to play a vital role in enhancing Pakistan’s energy industry and fostering industrial operations. Measures are being implemented to authorize a daily gas supply of 50 million cubic feet.
To provide a dependable gas supply for National Steel Complex Ltd., alternatives such as local gas sources and imported LNG are under consideration. This project is anticipated to foster industrial growth, generate employment, and enhance the economy.
The Government emphasizes stable energy prices and a robust local economy. Maintaining a reliable energy supply is essential for fostering industrial growth.
Engro Vopak Terminal Ltd. has solicited the Port Qasim Authority to augment facilities for the uninterrupted supply of LPG and liquid chemicals. Augmenting the terminal’s capacity will optimize operations and elevate efficiency.
LPG imports are projected to increase by 35%, thereby enhancing industrial operations and fortifying the economy.

Business

FBR to Enhance Revenues: Enacts Significant Reforms, Attains Record Revenue Collection

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

The Federal Board of Revenue has effectively executed significant reforms in the past year, enhancing tax administration, compliance, and digital transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The FBR implemented AI-driven risk identification algorithms to improve tax audits and introduced a customer relationship management dashboard for real-time compliance monitoring.
Moreover, AI-driven Customs Intelligence and digital invoicing systems have transformed tax collection and customs operations.
The implementation of faceless customs assessment has markedly diminished clearance waits, optimizing international trade.
The unified sales tax return has streamlined the tax filing procedure, while the continuous advancement of a tier-3 data center seeks to enhance data security and AI-driven surveillance.
To enhance transparency, the FBR digitized its litigation management system for faster dispute resolution.

Latest News

National Skill Development: Government to Offer Training in Contemporary Skills to Youth: Ahsan

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, has underscored that Pakistan’s economic future depends on private sector-led growth and comprehensive skill development.
During the Cothm Global convocation, he emphasized the necessity of equipping the workforce with contemporary skills to satisfy global economic requirements.
He stated that no nation has attained sustained growth without active participation from the private sector and a skilled workforce.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized Pakistan’s unexploited potential in tourism and hospitality, while acknowledging that infrastructural deficiencies and workforce constraints impede advancement.
He emphasized the necessity of systematic reforms in Education and Industry to compete with regional economies such as Malaysia, Thailand, and India.
The Minister unveiled the Uraan Pakistan initiative, a strategic plan designed to elevate Pakistan to a three trillion dollar economy by 2047 through investments in critical industries, innovation, and youth skill development.