December 26, 2006

World Bank to give Nepal bird flu control grant

The World Bank (WB) would provide US$ 18.2 million to Nepal to help fund a four-year avian influenza control project.

Although Nepal has not reported any cases of bird flu, authorities feel prevention is better than cure.

Manas Banerjee, acting director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), said the programme would be launched in January but the agreement would be signed in February.

The fund would be utilised in implementing the National Avian Influenza and Pandemic Preparedness and Response (NAIPPR) programme prepared by the government, Banerjee said.

The NAIPPR programme focuses on planning and coordination, surveillance of human influenza, prevention and containment of avian influenza, health systems preparedness and response, communication and the Ministry of Health's laboratory capacity development.

The programme would be jointly supported by the Health Ministry, Ministry of Local Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

The WB has committed to providing US$ 500 million for avian flu control across the globe.