Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 17 / Trend A.Akhundov /
Operations of the World Bank (WB) project to reform the health care system in Azerbaijan are said to be on schedule. Its implementation period will expire by late 2012, WB office in Baku told Trend on Friday.
"All major operations within the project have been already completed," the bank said. "The construction part is almost completed. Work on technical assistance is also being finalised."
According to the information, if the decision on additional funding is made, the term of the project implementation will be extended.
"After the project is completed, we are preparing a report on its results," the bank said. "We will assess all the components of the project. The report also includes a section on the government's viewpoint and the completed document will be sent to the board of directors for approval."
The project to reform the health care system in Azerbaijan consists of four main components:
- Strengthening of the management potential of the health ministry, sectorial policy, planning policy and regulation;
- Improving the quality and efficiency of health services in five pilot regions to include the modification of the initial level of services at the regional level and the construction of three regional hospitals and strengthen the ties between primary and secondary levels of health care presented in these regions;
- Reform of health financing with a gradual transition to the principles of compulsory health insurance;
- Increasing human capacity, including a certification programme for medical personnel.
The project was approved by the directors of the World Bank on June 29, 2006, and its implementation began in December 2006. The total project cost is $78.25 million, of which $50 million is allocated by the WB, while the share of the Government of Azerbaijan in the project is $28.25 million.
As of February 2012, some $32 million of the funds allocated by the World Bank were used.
Project completion is scheduled for December 2012.
This is the second project to reform health care financed by the World Bank. The first World Bank loan was $5 million. The implementation of the first project was completed in September 2006.