The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Board of Directors has sanctioned a loan of USD 500 million to support India’s efforts to prevent, detect and respond to COVID-19 by strengthening the preparedness of the country’s national health system.
The project is funded by AIIB’s COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility created to adapt to urgent financing needs of the Bank’s members impacted by the pandemic.
The India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project, co-financed with the World Bank, will support India in addressing significant challenges posed to the public health system.
The financing will enable the government to upscale efforts to limit the transmission of cases, strengthen the health system to increase its response capacity and enhance preparedness to manage future outbreaks.
The project also supports the purchase of medical equipment, enhanced disease detection capabilities and strengthened research.
It is expected to address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers at medical and testing facilities as well as national and animal health agencies.
