The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 78,390 for the Project for Construction of Sat Kwin Village Sub Rural Health Center in Kangyidaunt Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

The handover ceremony of the Sub Rural Health Center for the above project took place in Kangyidaunt Township, Ayeyarwady Region on 14 February 2019. Mr. Yuta ISOZAKI, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Dr. Hla Myat Thwe, Minister for Social Affairs of Ayeyarwady Region, committee chairperson, committee members of the construction project, and local residents attended the ceremony.

The Sub Rural Health Center (SRHC) in Sat Kwin Village was established in 1962 and has provided healthcare services for the residents of surrounding 13 villages. However, the center was situated in the Village Administrator’s Office due to lack of budget for construction of the building for SRHC. Under the circumstances, many pregnant women were reluctant to deliver babies there and took the risk to deliver babies at home, since there was no privacy in this center. Moreover, the center faced lack of staff quarters as well as medical equipment. To tackle these issues, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, provided funding for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete rural health center building and a staff quarter with full furniture and 5 items of medical equipment. The project will benefit 4,893 residents of 13 villages in this region.

The Government of Japan has assisted 886 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 456 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 55 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is expected that this assistance will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.