Contacts: In Washington: Sergio Jellinek (202) 458-2841 sjellinek@worldbank.org; In Mexico City: Fernanda Zavaleta 52-55-5480-4252 fzavaleta@worldbank.org Washington, DC, April 30, 2009-The World Bank today confirmed that $25.6 million was deposited into a Special Account of the Mexico health project, enabling Mexico to instantly buy drugs such as Tamiflu, medical supplies and equipment, and to beef up testing capacity in an effort to combat H1N1 flu at a national level. This financial support is the first part of the $205 million in support to Mexico announced by World Bank President Robert Zoellick last Sunday which will assist the government and mobilize its vast public health experience in response to the flu outbreak. The financial package includes a US$180 million fast disbursing project which is being prepared in connection with the Global Facility for Avian Influenza to help local authorities finance the full range of strategic, epidemiologic, regulatory, institutional, and operational activities needed for an effective response. “We are following through on financial support to immediately make funds available to the Mexican authorities to fight H1N1 flu,” said Keith Hansen, regional sector manager for Health programs. “The World Bank is working closely with the Government of Mexico, the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization in an effort to coordinate the best mode of support,” Hansen added Assistance offered to countries region wide; Argentina receives funds to prepare for a potential H1N1 flu outbreak The World Bank has offered assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries in an effort to monitor H1N1 flu, the institution announced today. Argentina will receive financial support to enhance preparedness and monitor H1N1 flu. The World Bank is working with the Argentina Ministry of Health to ensure the country is well prepared to face the H1N1 flu and other epidemiological diseases that might affect the country. “The ministry of health in Argentina requested support on Monday, and on Tuesday the World Bank authorized the use of $1.5 million from the Essential Public Health Functions project to meet urgent preparedness needs as they enhance the national response,” said Hansen. “This project includes $20 million for just such emergencies, and Argentina was already able to draw on it earlier this year to address the dengue crisis. The project is serving the country’s urgent needs as well as its longer-term program development goals,” Hansen emphasized. In this regard, the Bank funds are available to buy airport laser detectors to indentify H1N1 flu, medical equipment for hospitals and medicines to stock the country in case of an outbreak of the disease. For more information on World Bank Support to Mexico, visit: www.worldbank.org/mx, or www.worldbank.org/ar for more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina. For more information on Bank support to Latin America and the Caribbean, visit www.worldbank.org/lac |
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