health

June 28, 2021

STAFF REPORTER

2 min read

World Bank approves Lesotho credit

World Bank approves Lesotho credit

The World Bank building

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LESOTHO’s goal of improving the use and quality of nutrition services and strengthening its health system amid the COVID-19 pandemic will be supported with over M300 million credit approved by the World Bank from its International Development Association (IDA) fund on Monday.

According to a statement from the World Bank, the project will also receive over M62 million co-financing grant from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Achieving Nutrition Impact at Scale.
It says Lesotho has one of the highest maternal and child mortality and HIV/AIDS rates in the world, adding that its population also experiences a high adolescent fertility rate, high malnutrition and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
It shows that at close to 35 percent in Lesotho, stunting is a widespread phenomenon particularly among children of less educated or adolescent mothers, adding that inadequate care, feeding practices, and environmental health all contribute to this high stunting rate.
The statement further reveals that Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project will support the implementation of Lesotho’s National Food and Nutrition Strategy, including through the strengthening of community-based nutrition service delivery that targets women, children and adolescents in districts with very high stunting rates.
It says the project interventions will include training of village health workers to monitor the growth of children, counsel mothers and families on a balanced diet for new-born, children, mothers, and distribute nutrition as well as family planning resources.
It notes that adolescent boys and girls aged between ages 10 to 19 will benefit from the provision of health and nutrition education at schools and non-formal education centres. It says the establishment and revitalisation of youth peer educators, youth clubs, and adolescent health corners in communities will also be supported.

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The statement further shows that to ensure quality and efficiency of care, the project will finance the provision of quality grants to all public and Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL) health facilities.

It adds that this will constitute an entry to implement a star rating system for health service providers in the country.
The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s fund for the poorest. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low to zero-interest loans (called “credits”) for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty and improve poor people’s lives. LeNA

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