Sri Lanka signs US$150 million World Bank deal to upgrade primary health care system
The Government has signed a financial agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to secure US$150 million for a nationwide project aimed at improving the primary health care system.
The project, set to be implemented from 2024 to 2028 across all districts, focuses on the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, elderly and palliative care, strengthening community-level services, and building resilience against climate-related emergencies.
A key challenge identified for the project is the lack of adequate transport facilities for field officers, including Public Health Midwives, public health inspectors, primary care nurses, and surveillance teams.To address this, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to procure a range of vehicles to enhance field operations, house-based care, and community outreach, as well as to ensure the safe and timely transport of clinical waste and medical supplies. The approved fleet includes:
26 clinical waste transport lorries
26 double cab vehicles
5 ten-seater vans
2 buses with 42 seats each
2,891 scooters for Public Health Midwives
200 scooters for Public Health Nurses
1,350 motorcycles for public health inspectors
200 scooters for laboratory services
20 trucks with refrigerators for the Medical Supply Division
8 forklifts for the Medical Supply Division
1 crew cab for the Divisional Health Office – Puttalam
An ambulance fleet for the Jaffna district
The initiative is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of fieldwork, broaden community health coverage, and strengthen the overall primary health care infrastructure in Sri Lanka.