Government of Japan provided Pakistan with a grant of JPY 1 billion (Rs 1.54 billion or approx. USD 9.5 million) for enhancing its capacity to fight COVID-19.
Japan has extended grant assistance of one billion Japanese yen (around $9.5 million) to Pakistan for enhancing its capacity to confront COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged between the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori and secretary of the ministry of economic affairs Noor Ahmad here.
More than 30 types of medical equipment would be included in this programme and bedside X-ray machines will be provided to medical institutions in Pakistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary EAD said that Pakistan value bilateral and friendly relations with Japan and both countries share common views on most of the regional and international economic issues.
“Japanese economic assistance has played and shall continue to play a vital role in the socio economic uplift of Pakistan,” he added.
He said, “Japan has paid major role in eradication of polio in Pakistan and due to its untiring support Pakistan has been able to substantially control the polio virus in Pakistan. Japan is still insisting on complete eradication till the zero polio patients are reported.”
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Economic Affairs Noor Ahmed appreciated Japan’s assistance to build an intensive care unit and maternal and child health facilities at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, worth JPY 3.62 billion. He added that Japan has extended similar grant assistance for Hyderabad (Sindh).
“Pakistan is going through a second wave of the pandemic and the number of patients is higher, hence overburdening the health systems in Pakistan. This grant will supplement the health facilities of the hospitals, the risk to health workers and doctors shall be minimized,” he added.
