The Government of Japan, under it’sGrant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects(GGP) Scheme, decided to extend assistance of US$122,657 for a humanitarian assistance program entitled “The Project for Construction of Radiological Department at MyitkyinaHospital in Kachin State”.

H.E. Mr.Mikio NUMATA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmarand U Maung MaungZin, Medical Superintendent of Myitkyina Hospital, signed the grant contract on February 7, 2013.

Myitkyina Hospital was established in 1965 and it was upgraded as 200 bedded hospital in 1986 and 300 bedded hospital in 1991 respectively. The hospital’s administration covers two station hospitals, one mother and child health center, six rural health centers and twenty-three sub rural health centers in the area.

The hospital is giving health care service not only for the local people of Myitkyina but also for the refugee camps and 30 numbers of conflict victims per month since 2011.At present39 doctors,116 nurses and 124other staffs are being assigned at the hospitalby the Ministry of Health and there have been 11,060 in-patients and 28,034 out-patients at the hospital in 2011.

However, the hospital is lack of CT Scannerso far and it is facing difficulties to diagonose patients in emergency by that machine. In order to get the diagnosis and treatment, patients have to go downto Mandalay Hospital which is about 500 kilometers away from Myitkyina. As it takes long time to reach the hospital,this is unaffordable for poor patients. Although Ministry of Health has approved for installation of CT Scan at the Myitkyina Hospital, there was no appropriate building yet for the equipment and they have been facing financial difficulties for new building.

Undersuch circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to provide funding for construction of a74’x40’ R.C.examination building for the Radiological Department ofMyikyina Hospital through its GGP Scheme.It is expected that this assistance willimprove the hospital's medical service and benefit patients in Kachin State and further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.