The World Bank approved a US$115 million loan to expand the primary healthcare services in Paraguay strengthening Family Health Care Centers and micro healthcare networks. It seeks to improve access to maternal and child care services as well as treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cervical and breast cancer, and communicable diseases such as HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis.
The main beneficiaries will be women of childbearing age and children, as well those affected by prevalent diseases. They represent close to 4.6 million Paraguayans, about 70 percent of the country’s population.
“Strengthening the capacity and quality of the primary health care network is vital to guarantee equal access to quality healthcare. The project seeks to improve and expand the existing infrastructure, and also promote greater access to these services for the population,” said Jesko Hentschel, Director of the World Bank for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The project will be implemented at the national level, with special emphasis on the Central, Paraguarí, Cordillera and Amambay departments. In these localities, 152 new FHCCs will be built, the 114 existing units will be renovated, and 10 district hospitals will be upgraded. The new centers will be equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, including medical equipment, furniture and information and communication technology. The project will also strengthen the skills of health personnel working in primary care through training on the proper management of the health conditions and diseases mentioned. Finally, the project will assist in the implementation of a more transparent system to be able to work with Local Health Councils, seeking to link these to the fulfillment of health goals.
Although Paraguay has promoted actions to move towards universal health coverage, access gaps remain a challenge. The deficit of primary health care infrastructure, estimated at 800 FHCCs, continues to be a critical factor for access to care. The project approved will help to reduce this gap so that more Paraguayans can access timely, affordable, and quality primary health care.
Original source: World Bank
Published on 28 May 2019
