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01 May 2003

USAID Awards $10 Million Iraq Health Services Contract

(Will support Iraqi-led health needs initiatives) (410)
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a
$10 million contract to a Massachusetts-based firm to improve health
services in Iraq.
In an April 30 press release, USAID said the "Health System
Strengthening Contract" awarded to Abt Associates Inc. will support
Iraqi-led initiatives to meet the health needs of the Iraqi people.
Assistance will include helping a reformed Iraqi Ministry of Health
and providing medical equipment, supplies and training to health care
workers, the release said.
The contract is one of eight initial procurements issued by USAID as
part of its relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
Following is the text of USAID's press release:
(begin text)
April 30, 2003 
WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) today announced an initial $10 million contract to Abt
Associates Inc. to ensure the rapid normalization of health services
in Iraq while strengthening the overall health system in the country.
This contract is a key element of USAID's reconstruction assistance to
the Iraqi people, in order to help maintain stability, ensure the
delivery of essential services, and facilitate economic recovery.
This "Health System Strengthening Contract" will support Iraqi-led
initiatives in meeting the health needs of the population. Assistance
will include supporting a reformed Iraqi Ministry of Health (MOH) at
the national, regional and local levels as well as delivering health
services, providing medical equipment and supplies, training and
recruiting health staff, providing health education and information,
and determining the specific needs of the health sector and vulnerable
populations such as women and children.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based research and consulting firm will
coordinate with international organizations, including USAID awardees
such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), that are
already working within the health, water, and sanitation sectors.
Under the terms of the contract, Abt Associates Inc. will have the
flexibility to provide rapid response grants to civil society to
address specific health needs in Iraq. Assistance will also complement
ongoing humanitarian relief efforts that address the needs of
vulnerable populations, including the delivery of essential services.
The Health System Strengthening contract is one of eight initial
procurement actions issued by USAID as part of its overall relief and
reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on USAID's
humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, as well as the
actual health request for proposal, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq/.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)