Kenya is among countries set to benefit from a Ksh 145 billion loan from the World Bank.
In a statement seen by The Kenya Times, the World Bank listed Ethiopia, Kenya, Sao Tome and Principe as the countries set to receive the funds under a health focused program.
The program named Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Program (HEPRR) will see the Ksh 145 billion disbursed to countries and organizations in Africa in a bid to boost their preparedness for health emergencies.
Also listed as beneficiaries in the program are the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
According to the World Bank, the named beneficiaries will receive money in phases with the first one set to disburse Ksh 52 billion.
In his remarks, Boputhina Guermazi- World Bank’s Integration Director for Africa and the Middle East, expressed his confidence that the funds will help countries in strengthening their preparedness for health emergencies.
Further, Guermazi explained the resources in the program will help to enhance delivery of health services in the listed countries.
About HEPRR Program
The HEPRR was designed to address threats from various health emergencies and fill the gap in the World Bank’s health security financing structure.
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Moreover, the program is designed to complement other multinational programs through jumpstarting health response systems across the world.
As the World Bank’s first health response-oriented fund, the program seeks to encourage collaboration between governments and private sector players in efforts to build capacity for countries in the face of emergencies.
With the infusion, Kenya is expected to enhance collaboration with international partners in boosting health systems.
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Further, Kenya and other beneficiary countries will work towards developing regional pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing centers in a bid to end dependency on imported health products.
Additionally, HEPRR will prioritize a regional approach, led by African institutions, given the many public goods and cross border issues involved in health emergency response, and resilience.
According to the lender, the funds will target the vulnerable groups such as mothers, children, and disadvantaged populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.
Further, the World Bank explained that livestock farmers and people exposed to animal diseases will be prioritized in the roll out phase of the program.
