The World Bank will give Paraguay US$10.5 million for “strengthening critical functions for prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemics in Paraguay”, with payments to be spread over the next three years.
The project was outlined in a presentation held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Asunción, and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPyBS), the Ministry of Technology and Communication (MITIC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among others.
On behalf of the United Nations, the representative of PAHO-WHO, Environmental Engineer Marcelo Korc congratulated Paraguay for accessing the project and said the results of what is implemented in Paraguay could serve as an example to the rest of the world.
Specific measures to increase disease surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory systems, and health personnel training are included in the plans.
The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative alliance between Government donors, co-investing countries, foundations, civil society organisations, and international agencies. It was created last year to provide a specific flow of additional and long-term financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in eligible low and middle-income countries through investments and technical support. Certain multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, and specialised global health institutions currently serve as the fund’s implementing entities.
Paraguay and Suriname were the only two countries in the Americas selected for the funding.
