The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has extended the assistance of US$ 85,415 for humanitarian assistance program entitled “The Project for Upgrading Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in Bahan Township, Yangon Region”.

The hand-over and opening ceremony was held at the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in Bahan Township on November 26, 2013. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Japan, Retired Brigadier General U Tint Swe, Patron of Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni and the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital Management Committee, U Maung Maung, President of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital Management Committee, Committee members and medical staff of the hospital.

Jivitadana Sangha Hospital was established as a dispensary for sanghas (monks, novices & nuns) in 1940 without charging medical fees. At present, 39 doctors, 111 nurses are assigned at the hospital to access the good quality of health care services for the population of monks, nuns and the poor and there have been 3,037 in-patients and 167,782 out-patients at the hospital in 2011. However some of the surgical and ophthalmologic instruments are not sufficient for increasing number of patients and some medical instruments were outdated and not suitable for use any longer.

With this grant assistance funding, the Government of Japan provides one laser machine for Urology Department, one phaco machine for Eye Department and one shortwave Diathemy for Physical Medicine Department of the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital.

For better health care services for the monks and people of Myanmar, it was granted by the Government of Japan through its GGP Scheme. This grant assistance to the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in provision of medical equipment is the 7th assistance of the Japanese Government since 1996 under the same GGP Scheme. It is expected that this assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relation between Japan and Myanmar.