World Bank lends Mexico, Argentina funds for flu
(Adds quotes, details)
WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday transferred $25.6 million in funding to Mexico to buy drugs and ramp up testing for the deadly H1N1 flu that has killed up to 176 people in the country.
The funding is part of a larger $205 million World Bank loan promised to Mexico at the weekend as the new flu strain spread and the poverty-fighting institution began mobilizing funding to help developing countries prepare for the flu.
"We are following through on financial support to immediately make funds available to the Mexican authorities to fight H1N1 flu," said Keith Hansen, World Bank regional sector manager for health programs.
The World Bank also diverted $1.5 million in already committed funds to Argentina to monitor and prepare for a possible outbreak of the virus.
The Argentine funding will help buy airport laser detectors to identify the virus in passengers and will allow hospitals to buy and stock medicines to treat the flu, the Bank said.
"The ministry of health in Argentina requested support on Monday, and on Tuesday the World Bank authorized the use of $1.5 million from the Essential Public Health Functions project to meet urgent preparedness needs as they enhance the national response," said Hansen.
"This project includes $20 million for just such emergencies, and Argentina was already able to draw on it earlier this year to address the dengue crisis," Hansen said. " (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Sandra Maler)
WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday transferred $25.6 million in funding to Mexico to buy drugs and ramp up testing for the deadly H1N1 flu that has killed up to 176 people in the country.
The funding is part of a larger $205 million World Bank loan promised to Mexico at the weekend as the new flu strain spread and the poverty-fighting institution began mobilizing funding to help developing countries prepare for the flu.
"We are following through on financial support to immediately make funds available to the Mexican authorities to fight H1N1 flu," said Keith Hansen, World Bank regional sector manager for health programs.
The World Bank also diverted $1.5 million in already committed funds to Argentina to monitor and prepare for a possible outbreak of the virus.
The Argentine funding will help buy airport laser detectors to identify the virus in passengers and will allow hospitals to buy and stock medicines to treat the flu, the Bank said.
"The ministry of health in Argentina requested support on Monday, and on Tuesday the World Bank authorized the use of $1.5 million from the Essential Public Health Functions project to meet urgent preparedness needs as they enhance the national response," said Hansen.
"This project includes $20 million for just such emergencies, and Argentina was already able to draw on it earlier this year to address the dengue crisis," Hansen said. " (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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