Credit Agreement for World Bank (IDA) assistance of US$ 100 million for Accelerating Universal Access to Early and Effective Tuberculosis Care has been signed between the Government of India and the World Bank here today. This Agreement was signed by Shri Nilaya Mitash, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Michael Haney, World Bank’s Operation’s Advisor in India, on behalf of the World Bank.

Tuberculosis remains one of the top four causes of death among the most productive age groups with huge economic costs, particularly for poor households. This project is the third in a series of projects supporting the Government of India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP). It will support implementation of India’s National Strategic Plan for TB Control during 2014-15 and 2015-16 by contributing annually to the care of 3.1 million TB patients, better treatment for 40,000 MDR-TB patients and 90,000 pediatric TB cases.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the implementing agency for the project.

Loan agreement for tuberculosis care supports implementation of national strategic TB control and expands access to treatment. A Loan Agreement between the Government of India and the World Bank provides IDA assistance to accelerate universal access to early and effective tuberculosis care, as the third project supporting the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program and to support implementation of the National Strategic Plan for TB Control for 2014-15 and 2015-16; it funds annual care for about 3.1 million TB patients, enhanced treatment for multidrug-resistant TB and expanded pediatric TB management, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as the implementing agency.