Islamabad: The World Bank (WB) has allocated USD 200 million in a bid to support the health and education sectors in Punjab, a news source reported. The international agency has further earmarked USD 85 million in credit and grant packages to facilitate host communities and refugees – in addition to announcing USD 15 million to improve the delivery of services, strengthen institutions, and boost enterprise development in Balochistan.
The WB sanctioned USD 200 million for the ‘Punjab Human Capital Investment Project’ under which the provincial government aims to improve health services and children’s education. To this effect, WB Country Director for Pakistan Illango Patchamuthu said that the project would help in the social protection of the vulnerable families in select districts and produce a healthy workforce for the future.
Task Team Leader for the said project Yoonyoung Cho said that the women in poor households face various financial and non-financial hurdles to access health care services and bear the burden of childcare and household chores. The initiative is expected to improve the uptake and quality of health services, such as immunisation and maternal care, as well as provide young parents with skills training and early education skills.
