Vietnam approves 25 mln USD loans to fight H5N1

Vietnamese Prime Minister has approved an additional 25 million U.S. dollars loans for the " Vietnam avian and human influenza control and preparedness project (VAHIP)", according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday.

The ministry said the money comes from a combination of sources including the International Development Association of World Bank with 10 million U.S. dollars, the multi-donor Avian and Human Influenza Facility with 13 million U.S. dollars, and the Vietnamese Government with 2 million U.S. dollars in counterpart fund.

The decision was made due to the recent increase of cases affected by influenza H5N1 in some localities. The agricultural minister and the Ministry of Health are entrusted to closely monitor the current situation so as to prepare medicine in time and control the virus nationwide.

VAHIP is being implemented in 11 cities and provinces in the country. The funding will be used to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical and veterinary services to minimize the risks for people and animals affected by the flu.

Source: Xinhua

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