WB provides $30 mln credit in health support for Cambodia

PHNOM PENH , July 17 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank (WB) here Thursday signed agreements with the Cambodian government to provide 30 million U.S. dollars of credit for the second phase of the Health Sector Support Program for the kingdom.

The program, approved by WB in June 2008, aims to improve health care and preventive health services for the Cambodian people, with particular emphasis on women, children and the poor, said a press release from WB's resident office.

At the signing ceremony, Keat Chhon, Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance, expressed his appreciation for the support, saying that this project will contribute towards the government's Rectangular Strategy and National Strategic Development Plan from 2006 to 2010.

WB Country Director for Cambodia Ian Porter said that Cambodia is internationally renowned for policy innovations in the health sector and WB is proud to join other development partners in supporting its efforts.

The program will improve the quality of training of health professionals, strengthen health service delivery at health centers and referral hospitals and support the government in its role as the steward of the health system, said the press release.

More poor people will benefit from the program as it intends to scale up support to the Health Equity Funds to help the poor access essential health care, it said.