DHAKA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh signed two financing agreements totaling to 200 million U.S. dollars with the World Bank Thursday to improve health systems, delivery of health services and the living conditions of the urban poor.
Zahid Hussain, acting World Bank country director for Bangladesh, and Kazi Shofiqul Azam, additional secretary of Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division, signed the agreements on behalf o their respective sides in the capital.
According to the Washington-based lender, the 150 million U.S. dollars additional financing to the Health Sector Development Program will continue to support the government to mitigate health sector challenges, including sustaining and improving immunization coverage; further improving deliveries for pregnant women at public health facilities; tackling multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and strengthening health systems.
"The additional financing for the Health Sector Development Program will contribute to building a healthy nation, in particular, the financing will enable the poor access better health services," said Hussain, Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh.
"With about half a million new people arriving in the cities every year, the urban infrastructure, particularly housing is under immense pressure."
In Bangladesh, the World Bank said, around 62 percent of the urban population lives in slums, which is among the highest percentages in Asia.
It said the 50-million-U.S. dollar Low Income Community Housing Support Project will pilot a community driven approach to improve the living conditions of the urban poor in selected municipalities.
Around 40,000 low-income urban residents will have access to housing loans, while another 120,000 people will benefit from the improved roads and drainage, it added.
"Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth in the last decade," said Azam, additional secretary of Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division.
