With 59 votes, including support from the opposition party ARENA, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved a $120 million loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) on Tuesday. The funds will be used to improve health care services across the country, with a particular focus on strengthening primary care.
The loan contract, backed by Nuevas Ideas and its allies, two members of the National Conciliation Party, and one from the Christian Democratic Party, passed during the Assembly’s plenary session without opposition. Deputy Cesia Rivas of the Vamos party was present but did not cast a vote.
According to a World Bank press release, the investment will focus on digital transformation of the health system, supply chain management, and training of health professionals. It will also support infrastructure upgrades, procurement of medical equipment, and expansion of specialized services.
Part of the plan involves developing a new “health network model,” though details of this component have yet to be clarified.
Health Minister Francisco Alabi stated that the initiative will significantly boost the Ministry of Health’s operational capacity. “This project represents a critical step forward in strengthening our public health system,” he said.
Named “Health Care Improvement Project in El Salvador (Promas),” the initiative was approved by the World Bank’s executive board on March 19. The credit agreement has a 25-year term with a 4.5-year grace period.
The Ministry of Health is currently implementing a digital transformation strategy aimed at improving access to medical care. The strategy includes components such as telemedicine, electronic medical records, and streamlined outpatient services.