Re: World Bank puts on hold a billion dollar for health

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

Its really a serious matter that the World Bank will be holding such a big fund

on hold including $200 m for HIV/AIDS III.

It is, in my view, a matter of accountability and lack of adequate monitoring

system at state and country level as well. My suggestion in this context is that

the National AIDS Control Organisation, in conslutation with the civil society

orgnaisations and Govt of India, should structure a strong, honest and impartial

(may be non-govt.) monitoring and evaluation system for all the health

programmes including HIV/AIDS both at national and state levels in order to

check the corruption and improve the quality of implementation of the

programmes, which is right now we are lacking.

In fact there is no system, particulary in the states, to monitor the

implementation of the programmes and make the process transparent and mobilise

community involvement.

We have experience with regard to HIV/AIDS programmes run by the RSACS in

Rajasthan. Detailed information, suggestions and requests sent to NACO are never

attended and heeded upon. Even a single line acknowledgement is not responded.

The situation in other states may be more or less the same.

Keeping the funds on hold by the world Bank is not merely a matter of concern

for the NACO and the GOI, but it is concerned to all the countrymen, so it must

be heeded upon seriously and discussed widely.

regards,

Bhawani

Bhawani Shanker Kusum

Secretary & Executive Director

Gram Bharati Samiti (GBS)

NGO Delegate for Asia Pacific, UNAIDS PCB

Amber Bhawan, Amber 302028

Jaipur India

Tel./Fax : 91-141-2530719

E-mail: gbsbsk@...

www.gbsjp.org

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

Certainly this is a serious matter for the country but what can one suggest when

the donors develop a doubt about fruitful

utilization of the funds? The world Bank may think about having an independant

body to keep a tag on the utilization of the budget.

Perhaps such procedure has been adopted in case of EU funded projects in UP.

Lalji K Verma

vermalk <vermalk@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Gram Bharati has raised pertinent issues of governance and management of public

health funds by state government societies. These socieities do business as

usual and do more harm than good to epidemics. One AIDS Society spent 8 crore to

furnish the offices !

It will require a proper CBI enquiry, a strong PIL and an order from the Supreme

Court to clean up this scam.

The World Bank decision to stop funds for these programmes came too late in the

game. It should appoint monitors to do preventive steps in corrupt practices

rather than wait for years before it acted. This attitude makes World Bank a

partner in promoting corruption.

I want to hear other opinions.

Isabel

E-mail: <isabelcutinho@...>