India and the World Bank have agreed to two complementary loans totaling USD 500 million each to assist and improve the nation’s healthcare system. The bank will fund India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Initiative (PM-ABHIM), announced in October 2021, to build the public healthcare infrastructure throughout the nation, with a combined financing of USD 1 billion (about Rs 8,200 crore).
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a strong reminder that pandemic preparedness is a global public benefit and brought to light the urgent need for pandemic preparedness and health system strengthening worldwide. The two initiatives help India in its choice to strengthen the health systems there and make them more resilient to pandemics in the future.
Over time, India’s performance in terms of health has improved. India’s life expectancy, which increased from 58 in 1990 to 69.8 in 2020, is greater than the global average for the income level of the nation.
The mortality rates for children under five (36 per 1,000 live births), infants (30 per 1,000 live births), and women (103 per 100,000 live births) are all relatively low compared to the average for India’s income level, reflecting significant improvements in the availability of skilled birth attendants, immunizations, and other priority services.