India signs Financing Agreement with World Bank for Nagaland Health Project

The Government of India, the Nagaland Government and the World Bank on 16 January 2017 signed a USD 48 million credit agreement to improve the quality of healthcare services in Nagaland.

The Nagaland Health Project aims at empowering village health committees to deliver better health service delivery across the north-eastern state. It also looks forward to strengthening the existing health systems and public health facilities in the state.

The ambitious project will also invest in improving health services in 177 facilities, including water and sanitation and off-grid electricity backup. It will give a boost to state-wide health system, including information, procurement and supply chain management and human resource management systems.

The closing date of Nagaland health Project is 31 March 2023.

Key highlights of the project

• The objectives of the Nagaland Health Project are to improve health services and increase their utilization by communities in targeted locations in the state.

• On the other hand, the project will also focus on building knowledge and skills of Village Health Committees. It will foster involvement of women’s groups to supervise and watch over health services for their communities.

• Also, an incentive scheme will be used whereby funding will be provided to communities on the basis of progress on defined indicators of improved health and nutrition-related services and practices. In turn, communities will use the grants for activities and investments that are vital for them and which have impacts on health and nutrition.

• One of the key areas of the project is to improve the conditions of health facilities for both staff and patients.

• Existing water supply piping and storage facilities will also be repaired and upgraded while rooftop water harvesting systems will be installed in targeted health facilities. It is expected that around 125 health facilities will benefit from improved water and sanitation.

• The project will directly benefit about 600000 people in Nagaland.