KABUL - The World Bank (WB) approved last week a US$ 100 million grant to boost basic health and essential hospital services in 22 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. The WB-supported programmes to improve health services are currently ongoing in only 11 provinces of the country.

With this new financial grant assistance, the WB has provided a total of US$ 335 million for Afghanistan’s health sector since 2003, said a news release issued by the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC.

“This new support comes in the midst of Afghanistan’s transition and aims to boost human capital in the country,” said Robert Saum, the WB Country Director for Afghanistan, in the news release. “Investing in human health is vital for the country’s wellbeing and ensuring a healthy and productive society.”

Despite recent progress, the country faces significant challenges in the health sector. Afghanistan’s infant and under-five mortality rates are higher than the average for low income countries, and child malnutrition rates are among the highest in the world. About 55 per cent of children under-five suffer from chronic malnutrition and women and children suffer from high levels of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Mr. Saum noted that the new financial support would assist the Government of Afghanistan to address some of these challenges.

Click here for the full WB news release.