AKIPRESS.COM - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved $26.9 million for the Mongolia COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project to meet emergency needs in the face of the pandemic and to better prepare for future health crises, WB said. 

The project will address the immediate needs in response to COVID-19 such as training for emergency care doctors, nurses and paramedical staff; purchase of medical and laboratory equipment and supplies as well as build COVID-19 diagnostic capacity in Ulaanbaatar and all provinces. It will also rehabilitate health facilities; institute infection control measures and training across health facilities; and support public health information and communication campaigns for disease prevention and management.

Although community transmission has not been reported in Mongolia, the country remains at high risk for COVID-19 outbreak spread. The government has made addressing the COVID-19 pandemic an immediate priority.

“The global COVID-19 pandemic clearly calls for strengthening the preparedness and resilience of health systems to respond to such crisis situations,” said Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Mongolia. “This emergency operation will not only provide immediate support to address the COVID-19 pandemic, but will also benefit Mongolia’s health sector in the longer term to become more resilient to future health emergencies.”

The project funding comprises a US$13.1 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $13.8 million credit from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), allocated as part of the World Bank Group’s $14 billion COVID-19 fast-track financing package. Retroactive financing up to US$4.2 million of the total amount will be available for eligible expenditures incurred by the government from January 1, 2020.