PHA-Exchange> World Bank health plan passes with no objection

[claudio at hcmc.netnam.vn]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01211514.htm

World Bank health plan passes with no objections

By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The World Bank on 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 
bank's 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 
bank's 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 U.S. efforts to alter language 
relating to family 
planning, which the Europeans said could restrict young women's access to 
reproductive services.

The United States 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 told Reuters the United States 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 week's board 
discussion.

The U.S. 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 U.S. government does distribute more 
condoms globally than any 
other country.

WOLFOWITZ SAYS NO CHANGE

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has denied any changes to World Bank 
policy on reproductive 
health, saying it was an important part of the bank's development agenda. His 
clarification came 
after leaked documents this month showed the bank's managing director, Juan 
Jose Daboub, had deleted 
all references to family planning in a bank strategy being prepared for the 
African island nation of 
Madagascar.

Since the World Bank's last health strategy was updated in 1977, the 
institution has loaned $15 
billion to health projects worldwide, making it one of the biggest financiers 
to the sector.

Phumaphi said the bank consulted widely in its preparation of the new 
strategy. She said the new 
plan updated the bank's contribution to improving health services around the 
globe and the 
increasing prominence of private funding, including from the Bill and Melinda 
Gates Foundation and 
the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The differences between European countries and the United States over language 
on family planning 
came as Wolfowitz faced calls for his resignation over a promotion and pay 
rise scandal involving 
his girlfriend.

European countries, in particular, have voiced concern about the continued 
leadership of the former 
Bush administration official.



------------------------------------------------------------------
This mail sent through Netnam-HCMC ISP: http://www.hcmc.netnam.vn/