Kerala Receives ₹2,424 Crore World Bank Loan to Enhance Healthcare Infrastructure. Banking & Finance | Dated: 10 Feb 2025 In February 2025, the Government of Kerala (GoK) approved the 'Kerala Health System Improvement Programme (KHSP)' with a ₹2,424.28 crore (approximately USD 280 million) loan from the United States of America (USA)-based World Bank (WB). 🎯 Key Highlights: - This initiative received approval during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala's Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan and will be implemented under the Programme for Results (P for R) model. - The programme aims to enhance living standards and life expectancy by focusing on disease prevention, accident reduction, and minimizing premature deaths, with a particular emphasis on benefiting economically disadvantaged groups in Kerala. - The programme aims to build a robust health system to address emerging health challenges, including those linked to climate change. Additionally, a 24×7 emergency care network will be developed, featuring ambulances and a trauma registry to enhance trauma and emergency medical services. 💡 Other Important Facts: (i) Efforts will be made to strengthen elderly care by engaging local self-government institutions and improving the efficiency of healthcare professionals to ensure better service delivery. (ii) The initiative focuses on expanding the use of universal digital health applications while increasing healthcare investment to modernize and enhance Kerala’s medical infrastructure. (iii) A comprehensive healthcare ecosystem will be developed to reduce the prevalence of NCDs, ensuring better long-term health outcomes. Kerala has already made significant progress in public health, surpassing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030. 📚 Test Your Knowledge: Which Indian state recently secured a ₹2,424 crore loan from the World Bank to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure? Correct Answer: Kerala 🚀 Quick Recap: About World Bank President: Ajay Banga Headquarters: Washington, D.C