BCIE Banco Centroamericano de Integración : CABEI disburses US$37.6 million to improve health infrastructure in prisons and border units in Argentina

Buenos Aires, November 30, 2021.- With the objective of strengthening Argentina's public health care capacity, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) made the first disbursement of US$ 37.6 million under the Health Infrastructure Strengthening Program for Penitentiary Units and Border Health Units.

The initiative has a total financing of US$50 million and has enabled the purchase and installation of sanitary modules and their respective equipment in 30 penitentiary centers and 13 border posts throughout the country, benefiting 2.6 million people, including prisoners, prison system personnel and people passing through the border units.

"This is the largest disbursement made by CABEI to Argentina and we are pleased that it is to materialize such important works with which the health system will be strengthened, and the immediate attention of millions of people will be guaranteed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic" stated CABEI Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi.

CABEI Director for Argentina and Colombia, Dr. Maximiliano Alonso, added: "The works are already underway, and we were recently able to tour the facilities of Penitentiary Center 4 in the town of Ezeiza, confirming how this project significantly contributes to both users and health personnel to carry out their work in optimal conditions. It has been great teamwork between the Ministry of Public Works, the Strategic Affairs Secretary, the Ministry of Health and the CABEI collaborators."

The Program, implemented by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) with the support of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as procurement agent, has a gender component where the infrastructure developed will allow not only the attention of women deprived of liberty who suffer from COVID-19, but also other specific affectations of this population.