A $280 million World Bank program approved to strengthen Kerala's health system

Current Context: On 23rd October, The World Bank has approved a $280 million loan to strengthen Kerala’s health system.

• The program will focus on improving care for 11 million elderly and vulnerable people, while tackling the state’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
• It will support climate-resilient infrastructure, expand digital health services, and enhance cybersecurity for patient data.
• A key goal is to ensure 90% of registered patients with hypertension and diabetes are tracked and treated through electronic systems.
• The project also introduces home-based care models for bedbound elderly. The loan has a 25-year maturity with a 5-year grace period.

Question:

Q.1 The World Bank-supported program in Kerala aims to improve healthcare access for how many people?
a) 5 million
b) 8 million
c) 11 million
d) 15 million

Answer: c) The initiative targets around 11 million elderly and vulnerable citizens, ensuring equitable access to better health services.