Tamil Nadu Health System reform programme gets $287 mn loan from World Bank

The programme will promote population-based screening, treatment and follow-up for NCDs, and improve monitoring and evaluation

The central  government, Tamil Nadu and the World Bank have signed a $287 million loan agreement for the state's Health System Reform Programme that aims to improve the quality of health care, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and fill equity gaps in reproductive and child health services.

Tamil Nadu ranks third among all Indian states in the NITI Aayog Health Index. The state’s maternal mortality rate has declined from 90 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 62 deaths in 2015-16 while infant mortality has declined from 30 deaths per 1000 live births to 20 in the