April 27 (SeeNews) - The World Bank said it has approved a 52.9 million euro ($57.6 million) loan from the International Development Association (IDA) to Moldova for an emergency COVID-19 Operation.
The project will help Moldova take effective and timely action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening the country’s national healthcare system and mitigating social risks, the World Bank said in a press release on Friday.
While focused on boosting the health sector’s COVID-19 preparedness and emergency response, the project will also provide social protection measures to help the poorest and most vulnerable people better cope with the immediate impacts of the pandemic.
"The World Bank is fast-tracking its support to Moldova and its people to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The funding will strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and monitor the disease and to save lives. It will also make resources available to expand social assistance to the poor and vulnerable," World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Anna Akhalkatsi said.
To help detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the project will procure urgently needed supplies, including equipment, diagnostic supplies for national laboratories, personal protective equipment, infection protection supplies for front line staff in hospitals and primary health care facilities, medical equipment, drugs and supplies for intensive care units, and ambulances. The project will train medical staff in COVID-19 care and infection prevention and help build the capacity of medical personnel in critical care provision.
Earlier this month, the World Bank said that Moldova's economy is expected to shrink by 0.1% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but gross domestic product growth should bounce back to 3.8% in 2021.
($=0.9292 euro)