DUSHANBE, February 17, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Wednesday February 16, Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, attended a signing ceremony for three health projects in the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP), according to Japan’s Embassy.

With the attendance of Ms. Saida Jobirova, the First Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Mahmadrahim Ismoilov, chairman of Jilikul district, Mr. Qurbonboy Karimov, chairman of Farkhor district and Mr. Khairullo Safarov, mayor of the city of Norak, signed grant contracts at the Ministry of Health.

The Government of Japan grants the total amount of US$317,869 for the rehabilitation and provision of medical equipment to the hospitals in Jilikul, Farkhor districts and the city of Norak.

“The Project for Rehabilitation of the Regional Hospital No.2 in Nuri Vakhsh Jamoat, Jilikul District” for the total amount of US $105,902 is granted by the Government of Japan. Regional Hospital No.2 in Nuri Vakhsh jamoat of Jilikul district provides medical service to more than 10 thousand people in the jamoat.  The hospital building, which was constructed with mud bricks in 1955, has become dangerous for patients and staff as it has not been rehabilitated since 1991. Moreover, small capacity of the hospital and lack of medical equipment have caused low quality and limited access of medical service.

Through the project, the construction of new building of 172 m² and rehabilitation of existing building will be implemented. Furthermore, new medical equipment such as ultrasound device and essential furniture for diagnosis and treatment will be installed.  The newly constructed and rehabilitated buildings with modern medical equipment and new furniture will ensure local people’s access to the safe and hygienic hospital and will promote quality medical service in Jilikul district.

“The Project for Improvement of the Department for Infectious Diseases of Central Hospital in Farkhor District” for total amount of US$106,293, is supported by the Government of Japan.  Constructed in 1970, the building of the hospital needs main rehabilitation.  The chlorinated walls, overaged roofs and water pipes as well as old medical equipment make the hospital difficult to provide an appropriate medical service.

Through this project, the hospital building and water pipe system of the hospital will be rehabilitated.  Moreover, several medical equipment, which is necessary for the treatment of infectious disease such as Centrifuge and Sterilizer will be provided to the hospital. As a result, the hospital will be able to provide better medical treatment in appropriate environment to more than 1,000 patients in Farkhor district.  The provision of effective medical treatment through this project will contribute to the prevention of infectious disease in Farkhor district.

“The Project for Provision of Medical Equipment to the Central Hospital in Norak City” for the total amount of US$105,674, will support improvement of health sector in Norak.  The surgical department of Norak central hospital was established in 1967 and annually receives approximately 6,500 patients from the whole part of Norak city as well as neighboring areas.  However, the existing equipments produced in 1970’s-80 have never been replaced.  It is very difficult to provide quality medical service with these old equipments.  Due to the lack of modern medical equipments many patients have to travel even to Dushanbe for treatment.

Through upgrade of the medical equipments under the project, the hospital will be able to provide quality medical service to the patients.  Good medical service ensures improvement of people’s living standards as well as basic human rights for health.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to educational and medical institutions, NGOs, and local governments in developing countries. GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than US$ 18.8 million for 262 projects in Tajikistan since 1996.