Support for sectors with social priority

(May 7, 1993).- The 78th meeting of the CAF Board held today in Caracas approved two technical cooperation operations for the Venezuelan health and transport sectors for US$400,000 each.

One of these operations is to assist the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (MSAS) with preparation of a loan application for the Health Sector Strengthening and Modernization Program, which the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is currently managing.

Once the components of the project are defined, implementation of the health program will begin for a total of US$300 million to be cofinanced by IDB and CAF.

This is a high priority program for the Venezuelan government because it will improve the efficiency and operating capacity of the health sector, currently formed by 50 institutions around the country, coordinated by the ministry.

The program comprises execution of projects for rehabilitation and equipping of outpatient clinics and hospitals in selected states: Carabobo, Monagas, Táchira and Sucre.

According to the diagnoses, programs will be designed to upgrade the service network before transferring health services to the states. The project will be implemented on the basis of a representative sample from the healthcare units.

£ 132 The second technical cooperation operation granted by CAF will go to the National Urban Transport Fund (FONTUR) attached to the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

This cooperation grant will be used to prepare studies for the final structuring of a US$200 million loan from IDB and CAF to implement the National Urban Transport Program.

The Program consists of projects whose objective is to improve the quality of life of a large proportion of the inhabitants of Caracas who depend exclusively on urban transport, especially in marginal areas, including upgrading of sidewalks, lighting and drainage.

Specific solutions were also presented to solve the problems which affect the main routes in Barcelona and Puerto La Cruz, including widening, rehabilitation and linking up of various road sections.

With these actions, CAF continues to offer support to high priority sectors for the economic and social development of its member countries.