The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial support totaling $245,833 (approx. Rs 24 million) to two Pakistani NGOs; St Raphael's Hospital ($123,000) and Tanzeem-al-Lissan ($122,833), in order to improve the quality of maternal health and social welfare services respectively in Faisalabad. The agreements for the two projects were signed on Monday, at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Islamabad, between Hiroshi Oe, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and the heads of the two organisations.
The grants will assist the maternity hospital and the intellectually challenged children Institution to expand their facilities and to equip themselves with essential furniture or medical equipment. It is expected that nearly 4,700 patients will receive improved medical care every year and nearly 250 intellectually challenged children will benefit from this assistance.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Oe stressed that improving medical and health services, especially for women and children, is one of the priorities in Japan's assistance policy towards Pakistan. He also expressed his hope that the provision of better medical services in the project areas would contribute to uplifting the health status of the communities in Faisalabad, and further strengthening the existing friendly relations between the people of Japan and Pakistan.