Question : MODERNISATION OF HOSPITALS WITH WORLD BANK FUND

(a) whether the Government has received financial assistance from the from the World Bank for modernization of hospitals in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the names of the States in which the financial assistance is likely to be spent for the Modernisation of hospitals ; and

(d) the time by which the said modernization work is likely to be completed;

(e) whether any proposal has been received by the Government from State Government of Maharashtra for modernization of hospitals in that State; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (d): No, Sir. However, World Bank assisted State Health System projects, pertaining to strengthening & upgradation of secondary health care systems in the states have been approved and completed in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka & Punjab. Such projects in Orissa, Maharashtra, UP & Uttaranchal are under implementation.

(e) & (f): Government of Maharashtra submitted a proposal in December, 2001 for strengthening the Quality of Medical Education and Improving the Physical Infrastructure of the Government Medical Colleges and attached hospitals for financial assistance of Rs.550 crores from World Bank. The proposal was examined, in consultation with Department of Economic Affairs, Planning Commission and World Bank. Department of Economic Affairs has communicated that the present focus of World Bank funding for health sector is on disease control, primary health, family welfare and immunization, thus the proposal of government of Maharashtra for strengthening the medical education is not in line with present priorities of World Bank funding for the Health Sector in India. The above views have been communicated to the State Government on 30th January, 2004.