Thiruvananthapuram : The World Bank has given final approval for the implementation of the Kerala Health System Improvement Program with the assistance of the World Bank under the Department of Health. The World Bank has given final approval for a total of 400 million US dollars (about Rs. 3,400 crore). Of this, 70 percent , 280 million dollars ( about Rs. 2400 crore), is being borne by the World Bank and the rest by the state. After receiving the initial approval in 2023 , Kerala had prepared a detailed project report and submitted it to the central government. Subsequently, the final approval was given by the General Body of the World Bank after discussions with the World Bank.
Health Minister Veena George said that this will lead to major development in the health sector. The Kerala Health System Improvement Program was launched with the aim of achieving major development in the health sector on the P for R (Programme for Results) model. The aim of the program is to help people ensure a high standard of living , longevity and build a life free from preventable diseases , accidents and premature death.
This project will help in effectively responding to emerging threats including climate change by bringing together various departments of the state and increasing the efficiency of the health systems in Kerala. The project aims to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for the prevention of non-communicable diseases , combat and proactively respond to emerging health threats through strengthening systems and improved approaches to climate change , strengthen emergency and trauma care services by creating an efficient network of 24×7 emergency care facilities including ambulances and trauma registry , and through the involvement of local self-government bodies in elderly services , reimagine health systems to address existing challenges and emerging new issues, increase resource capacity , universalize digital health applications and increase public financing for health.
The state of Kerala has achieved remarkable success in public health , especially in maternal and child health, surpassing the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, new health challenges, inadequate funding in the public health sector, and the rise in non-communicable diseases are creating an overwhelming burden for Kerala. While initiatives like Aardram , Arogya Jagratha , and Karunya Arogya Suraksha Yojana aim to address these challenges , a new service delivery model is being created to address the new challenges in the healthcare sector.
