The handover and opening ceremonies of Ashay Bet Village Rural Health Center in Toungup Township, Zalun Village Rural Health Center in Thandwe Township, Taung Pauk Village Rural Health Center in Gwa Township took place in Rakhine State on 26th and 27th February 2015. Rural Health Centers are important facilities which protect the health of local residents by offering primary healthcare services such as basic care for injuries, diseases and childbearing.

These ceremonies were attended by Ms. Satomi KIKUCHI, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Myint Hlaing, Amyotha Hluttaw Representative, Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe, Rakhine State Minister for Social Affairs, U Hla Han, Rakhine State Minister for Construction and Transportation, health assistants, midwives, committee chairmen and committee members of the projects and local residents.

At the ceremonies, Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe gave speeches stating “Japan has been supporting health projects in Rakhine State since 2004. I, on behalf of local residents in Rakhine State, would like to thank the Japanese Government and its people for the support. The local residents would have to make the effort to maintain the supported buildings for long-term use.”

Following that speech, Ms. KIKUCHI stated, “The Government of Japan is offering assistance to upgrade and strengthen Myanmar’s health sector. We have assisted 182 health sector projects such as hospital and rural health center construction and supporting installments of medical equipment in this country. Due to the high need for assistance and its importance, Japan will continue its assistance to the health sector.” She concluded the speech wishing for a long-lasting Japan-Myanmar friendly relations.

The Government of Japan provided US$316,605 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for 1) the Ashay Bet Village Rural Health Center in Toungup Township, 2) the Zalun Village Rural Health Center in Thandwe Township, 3) the Taung Pauk Village Rural Health Center in Gwa Township, Rakhine State. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that the assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

[Comment by Ms. KIKUCHI]
The three villages I visited are located in southern part of Rakhine State, the area best known for its beautiful coast and delicious seafood. Many villages in this area are located in topographically complicated places formed by Bengal Bay and Arakan Mountains and only accessible by boats and 4WD. Some of the Rural Health Centers handed over during this trip are located in such remote areas and I am glad that local people there can now enjoy improved health services in their hometown.

Ribbon cut ceremony at Ashay Bet Village Rural Health Center	Handover ceremony at Ashay Bet Village Rural Health Center	Ribbon cut ceremony at Zalun Village Rural Health Center	Welcome by local people at Taung Pauk Village Rural Health Center