Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Bank signed two financial agreements in Sarajevo with a total value of 138.4 million euros. The goal is the improvement of health services and the financial consolidation of individual health institutions, as well as the improvement of air quality.
The agreements were signed by the Minister of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srđan Amidžić, and the head of the World Bank office for BiH and Montenegro, Kristofer Sheldon.
As stated, the agreement related to the health sector in both Bosnia and Herzegovina. entities, is worth 92.3 million euros, while the agreement related to the improvement of air quality in the Federation of BiH is worth 46.1 million euros.
Amidžić pointed out that it is about lending on favorable terms.
“We are talking about funds under favorable conditions, long terms. Credit funds were approved for a period of 18 years and a five-year grace period,” Amidžić told reporters in Sarajevo.
When it comes to the loan in the amount of 46.1 million euros, he stated that it is support for the cities that lead in terms of pollution in the region – Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica and Mostar, and added that the goal is to improve the quality of life in these cities, as well as for the degree of pollution to be lower.
Sheldon stated that the goal is to reduce air pollution from households and transport, and that it will involve replacing the heating system in 25,000 households in Sarajevo.
“Air quality is an important issue in a global aspect, but all of us who live here know how acute a problem it is in this country. The intention is to change the heating systems in 25,000 households in the Sarajevo Canton,” he explained.
Speaking about the loan for the health sector in BiH, Šeldon said that it is the first in a series of two program operations and its goal is to improve the financial sustainability of health institutions.
“This will help to rehabilitate existing outstanding obligations in the health sector, and help introduce preventive measures to prevent the emergence of new outstanding obligations,” Sheldon said.
According to him, the goal of this loan is to lay sustainable foundations for a resilient and sustainable healthcare system that will provide quality healthcare services to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sheldon expressed hope that these projects will help make for cleaner air and a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system in the future, Srna reports.
