The Inter-American Development Bank announced today the approval of a $72 million loan to Colombia to support the reorganization of public hospital networks and improve the quality, equity and efficiency of the country’s health system.
Performance-based contracts will be signed between the national government and subnational agencies to reorganize, redesign and modernize approximately 132 public hospitals, representing about 20 percent of the country’s health facilities. Technical assistance will be provided to subnational health directorates and public hospitals to enable them to rationalize, integrate and enhance the provision of health services.
The Ministry of Social Protection* will be equipped with an enhanced information system and will be strengthened in its capacity to evaluate and monitor the performance of the networks of public hospitals.
The project reflects the Bank’s strategy of promoting social development to ensure protection for vulnerable groups, and it complements a $400 million policy-based loan, approved by the IDB in October of 2003, to support government reform measures in the health and social security systems.
The current loan is for a 20-year term, with a four-year grace period, at a variable interest rate. Local counterpart funds total $18 million.