Yerevan/Mediamax/. The World Bank (WB) Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$ 19 million loan for the Additional Financing of the Second Phase of the Health System Modernization Project for Armenia.

Mediamax was informed in Yerevan representative office of WB that the project will support the Government of Armenia efforts to expand primary health care (PHC) services on the basis of family medicine, and upgrade hospital networks in the regions.

In particular, at the expense of WB funding, the physical conditions of additional 14 rural ambulatories will be upgraded; they will be provided with modern equipment, and retraining of medical personnel  on family medicine will be realized; equipment, supplies, and furniture will be purchased for four regional hospitals in Ararat, Armavir, Aparan, and Goris; the Gavar and Gyumri medical centers will be fully equipped; the construction of a new hospital building in Gyumri will be financed; five regional hospital networks in Meghri and Kapan, Abovian, Alaverdi and Vanadzor and Berd will be equipped; and the medical staff of the hospitals will be trained.
Total financing of the Project is US$ 25.3 million, of which the Government of Armenia will finance US$ 6.3 million from its own resources. The IBRD Loan of US$ 19 million has a maturity of 25 years and a grace period of 10 years included.

Under the World Bank project, 1200 family doctors and more than 1300 family nurses have been trained.  New out-patient facilities were built in 79 communities of Armenia.  In 66 communities, these facilities were completely refurbished. All 255 out-patient facilities and health centers received new medical equipment, furniture and other necessary items.