The Executive Board of Directors of the World Bank has approved a loan of $125 million for Belarus to implement a new healthcare system modernization project aimed at improving specific aspects of medical care quality in the country. This was reported to BELTA by the World Bank's office in Belarus.
The Executive Board of Directors of the World Bank has approved a loan of $125 million for Belarus to implement a new healthcare system modernization project aimed at improving specific aspects of medical care quality in the country. This was reported to BELTA by the World Bank's office in Belarus.
The project will support Belarus's efforts in improving neonatal care, establishing an e-health system, and implementing an information and communication technology-based clinical decision support system. The project will also contribute to enhancing the clinical competencies of healthcare professionals in managing non-communicable diseases.
The World Bank notes that Belarus has made significant progress in improving medical care, particularly in ensuring universal access to healthcare services and managing infectious diseases. However, there are opportunities for further enhancement of the efficiency and quality of medical services provided.
"This project will enable the nationwide implementation of an e-health system to strengthen disease diagnosis capabilities, clinical decision support mechanisms during treatment, and subsequent systematic patient monitoring. The e-health system will also provide opportunities for the effective use of aggregated clinical data in the development and implementation of state healthcare policies," noted Jan Chul Kim, Head of the World Bank Office in Belarus. Within the project, modern training laboratories for healthcare professionals' skills development will be established, and a new intensive neonatal care unit building will be constructed.
The approved healthcare system modernization project is based on the findings of the Public Expenditure Review in Belarus, prepared by the World Bank in 2013. The review highlighted the need to optimize the healthcare delivery system, strengthen the focus on primary healthcare and prevention, particularly concerning non-communicable diseases, as well as improve the mechanisms for managing the quality of medical services and enhance accountability for results.
"The project provides support for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, which is a major challenge in the context of Belarus's aging population. The project will also support activities to improve the system of intensive neonatal care for newborns. An integrated health information system will ensure seamless information exchange between all levels of the healthcare system and with patients, which will improve disease control," believes Susanna Hayrapetyan, Lead Health Specialist at the World Bank.
Belarus became a member of the World Bank in 1992. During the period of cooperation, Belarus has been allocated loan resources amounting to $1.7 billion. In addition, a number of programs, including those implemented with the participation of civil society organizations, have received support through grant financing totaling $28 million. With the approval of this project, the WB's investment portfolio in Belarus includes 9 projects with a total value of $973 million.