World Bank funds private hospital in India

[Guest guest]

World Bank funds private hospital in India

Gavin Yamey, BMJ 2001;322:257 ( 3 February )

The World Bank, whose website (www.worldbank.org) declares " Our dream

is a world free of poverty, " is backing the construction of a private

hospital in Mumbai, India, a move which some health agencies fear sets

a precedent for using development assistance for projects that will

mainly benefit the rich.

The bank has given the government of Maharashtra state an

International Development Association loan of $134m (£89m), of

which 5% will be used to build the private multispecialty hospital.

The hospital will be run by Wockhardt, India's fifth largest

pharmaceutical company, which will own 51% of the equity.

Local health campaigners in India are outraged that the bank is

funding a private hospital rather than basic primary healthcare

services for poorer patients. The Save Public Health Care Campaign, a

coalition of Indian non-governmental organisations,

trade unions, and activists, said: " Under the instructions of the

International Monetary Fund and World Bank, the government

has been steadily withdrawing even its minimal commitments to the

poor. "

International development agencies are also concerned at the bank's

involvement in this private venture. Mike Rowson, director

of Medical Action for Global Security, said: " The bank is supposed to

be focusing on the poor, and it should be supporting

government run health services, not a private hospital. "

Both the bank and the Maharashtra state government claim that the new

hospital will cater not just for rich patients, as it will

provide 10% of its services free of charge to patients who cannot

afford medical treatment.

, secretary for medical education and drugs for

Maharashtra, said, " This isn't just privatisation. Joint ventures

like this will enrich India's health system, and the poor people who

can't get services will be helped. "

Tawhid Nawaz, task manager at the World Bank, told the BMJ: " The state

government could not have managed this hospital

on its own. The bank is allowed to finance innovative things like

this. "

But some international health researchers are suspicious of the bank's

promises that this private-public venture will improve

India's health.

Kasturi Sen, a researcher in Cambridge University's department of

public health, said: " This project is ill considered. It is

intended for profiteering and has nothing to do with health. The

hospital will cater for a super rich transnational population who

will come to India for treatment instead of Europe. "

© BMJ 2001

[Guest guest]

Yes, it is appaling to se that even world bank has come out such scheme when

the common people of this country has not any acces to the cheapest possible

medical care.What is the fun of adding another big hospital in a big city.Is

it for the people of White gold countries?

Dr. R.D.Bhattacharya

President,ISRCDE

E-mail: <radium@...>

[Guest guest]

Yes...another big hospital in a big city is a joke! ...but small towns needs

small and Medium size hospitals with up to date facilities.... my town is

one such... can you let me know how to avail the funds..

" Dr. parthapratim dutta "

E-mail: <Dr.partha@...>

Dear Dr. parthapratim dutta, you may contact the World Bank Delhi office

further details. [Moderator]