The handover ceremony of the new hospital buildings constructed under the “Project for improving Loikaw General Hospital in Kayah State” was held on 8 February, 2017 (Wednesday).

This project aims to improve the core hospital in the region by constructing two-story, Reinforced Concrete new wards (New Main Building East: General and Specific outpatient department, Emergency department, etc. New Main Building West: Obstetrics and gynecology department, Internal medicine department, etc.). The estimated total cost of the project is about 1.95 billion yen.

H.E. U L. Phaung Sho, Chief Minister of Kayah State, Prof. Thet Khaing Win, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Sport from the Myanmar Government and Mr. Hideaki MATSUO, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Kotaro NISHIGATA, Senior Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Myanmar Office from Japanese side attended this ceremony.

Mr. MATSUO stated that this project will strengthen the function of this hospital both as a “Provider” and a “Facilitator”. And this project will contribute to improving health in Myanmar, collaborating with the Technical Assistance for strengthening Health System in Myanmar, which is being implemented.

H.E. U L. Phaung Sho, Chief Minister, also made key note speech and stated that the large number of in-patients is receiving treatment in the new buildings, which include the operating theatre and delivery rooms with modern medical instruments. He also added that I would like to express gratitude to Government of Japan and JICA for providing supports to build these buildings. Dr. Thet Khaing Win, Permanent Secretary, also said that as a result of opening new hospital with the support of the Japanese Government, the public will increase good chances for medical treatment. He added that officials in charge of medical treatment will need to show kindness to their patients, striving for reliable general hospital for local people.

Loikaw General Hospital located at the capital of the state covers not only patients those who live in the state but also ones in Southern Shan State. But, the services were not good enough as the core hospital in the region because of its aging facilities and equipment. Therefore, the improvement of those facilities and equipment was an urgent issue.