EU pledges US$37.8m for health grant

JAKARTA: The European Union (EU) has pledged 35 million euro (US$37.8 million) in a grant for community health projects in three provinces -- South Sumatra, Jambi, and Papua -- over a period of four and a half years.

Ambassador Sabato Della Monica, head of the European Commission (EC) delegation in Indonesia, handed over the agreement to Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi on Friday.

Called Support Community Health Services, the program is expected to improve the planning and management of health services in community health centers, expand health services especially for the lower-income groups, and enhance community participation in the health sector.

The grant will be used to pay the fees for national and international consultants, train local health officials, buy equipment and supplies, and finance health information management. --JP