ISLAMABAD: The World Bank will provide $36 million to Balochistan to help improve the quality of health and education services in four of its districts, it has been learnt.

The financial assistance consists of a credit of $21m and a grant of $15m. The World Bank is expected to approve the financing of the Balochistan Human Capital Investment project by the end of April.

The project will be addressing development barriers affecting both health and education sectors in Quetta, Chagai, Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts.

The two-pronged approach will improve utilisation and quality of critical public services that support the accumulation of human capital.

The low human capital index (HCI) in Balochistan is partially linked to 42 per cent poverty rate and socio-cultural norms that affect demand for and utilisation of health and education services in the province.

Human capital in the province is low due to the underlying socio-cultural, economic and development challenges, the bank’s project inception report says.

The lack of awareness about benefits of utilising quality health and education services, along with safety concerns, especially for females who are not allowed to travel alone, results in low utilisation of essential services that are critical to achieving better human development outcomes.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2020