By Sylvester Chibwana
Members of Parliament yesterday on Wednesday passed the International Development Association(IDA) Malawi Emergency Project Bill which seeks to authorize disbursement of a $100milion (an equivalent sum of k103bilion) grant to support health services in the country.
This decision means that Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Alfred Gwengwe to receive the grant from IDA, an agency for World Bank group. According to Gwengwe, the objective of the project is to provide emergency support to protect and ensure sustained delivery of essential health workers and services in Malawi.
Among other objectives, the Minister said the project will support the health sector budget to ensure that medical drugs, medical supplies and essential operating expenditures is timely and adequate. The grant will also help provide forex as well as ease pressure on government resources. Ministry of Health budget has been maintained.
