The handover and opening ceremonies at three locations in Shan State, i.e., No.1 Nunnery School in Muse Township, Kun Long High School in Kun Long Township and Isolation Unit Building at Lashio General Hospital were held on 6th, 7th and 8th February 2016 respectively.

The ceremonies were attended by Mr. Masaki YASUMATSU, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, U Kyaw Kyaw Tun, Muse District Administrator, U Minn Swe, Kun Long Township Administrator, Dr. Dipa, Senior Medical Superintendent of Lashio General Hospital, Committee Chairmen, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents.

At the ceremony of Lashio General Hospital, Dr. Dipa stated, “The Hospital has been upgraded from a 200 to a 500-bedded hospital this year. After constructing the Isolation Unit Building, we will be able to admit HIV patients separately from other patients unlike before. We promise to maintain the building and the supported medical items well.” He concluded the speech by wishing long-term relations between Japan and Myanmar.”

Following the speech, Mr. Masaki YASUMATSU stated, “We appreciate the efforts of the committee, the construction company and the people concerned for the implementation of the project. We hope that the Isolation Unit Building will enable local people to access better health-care services.” In the end, he wished for the further development of friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

The Government of Japan provided US$614,694 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for “The Project for Construction of Kanbawza Theingi No.1 Nunnery School in Muse Township, Shan State”, “The Project for Construction of Kun Long Basic Education High School in Kun Long Township, Shan State” and “The Project for Construction of Isolation Unit Building at Lashio General Hospital in Lashio Township, Shan State”. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that it will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Words of a local resident, U L Ting Bawm at Kun Long School Opening Ceremony, “When I was young, I attended Kun Long School. Today, I am happy to see that the Japanese Government and its people has supported construction of a school building. I am sure that we, Myanmar and Japan, are predestined and I wish for a long-lasting friendship between us.”

Group photo at Kanbawza Theingi Nunnery School	A student welcoming Mr. YASUMATSU	Students greeting at Kun Long Basic Education High School	Group photo taken at Lashio General Hospital