World Bank health plan passes with no objections
WASHINGTON, 2 May: The World Bank Tuesday approved a new health strategy for poor countries after the United States backed off efforts to restrict access to reproductive services, including abortions.
The new Strategy for Health, Nutrition and Population Results outlines the banks plan to strengthen health systems and improve access to services in developing countries as part of its mission to reduce poverty.
– The bank is redoubling its commitment to help developing countries and global partners achieve better health for people and especially poor and vulnerable communities,” said Joy Phumaphi, the banks vice president for human development and a former senior World Health Organization official.
Approving the strategy, which has been in the works for more than a year, became controversial after eight European countries last week objected to US efforts to alter language relating to family planning, which the Europeans said could restrict young women’s access to reproductive services.
The Bush Administration had wanted to use the phrase “age-appropriate access to sexual and reproductive health care,” changing the language from “reproductive health services.”
World Bank sources said that the US did not formally submit any objection to the strategy by a midnight deadline on Monday.
Instead, the United States said it would note its concerns about the language referring to underage sex and access to abortion in the official minutes of last weeks board discussion.
The US move is consistent with accusations against the Bush administration of denying funds to groups or clinics that even offer advice about abortion.
It also has been accused of trying to limit access to birth control, although the US government does distribute more condoms globally than any other country.
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has denied any changes to World Bank policy on reproductive health, saying it was an important part of the banks development agenda.
His clarification came after leaked documents this month showed the banks managing director, Juan Jose Daboub, had deleted (udeladt) all references to family planning in a bank strategy being prepared for the African island nation of Madagascar.
Since the World Banks last health strategy was updated in 1977, the institution has loaned 15 billion US dollar to health projects worldwide, making it one of the biggest financiers to the sector.
Kilde: The Push Journal
