New project will boost medical care for 1.7 million Nicaraguans living in Nueva Segovia, Madriz, Esteli, Matagalpa and Jinotega
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $133 million loan to improve healthcare in Nicaragua’s so-called Dry Corridor, comprising the departments of Nueva Segovia, Madriz, Esteli, Matagalpa and Jinotega.
The project will fund construction, certification and equipment of hospitals, health centers, health posts and maternity waiting homes in the area, as well as actions to improve service quality and train Health Ministry staff members.
In addition to increasing the coverage, scope and quality of healthcare services, the project will also include investments in the transport area aimed at improving access to healthcare centers and to strengthening the regulation of public transportation to and from these facilities in the municipalities of Jinotega, Nueva Segovia and Madriz.
Another key component consists of actions to raise the population’s awareness of healthy habits and of steps to strengthen detection and treatment of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The project will also seek to improve care and treatment of persons with disabilities and boost the prevention system of ailments that are transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, chikungunya and zika, among others, as well as measures to eradicate malaria.
The project will benefit some 1.7 million Nicaraguans living in the five departments, reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality and helping stop the spread of the country´s principal chronic diseases.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.