TLTP
ISLAMABAD
Japan will provide Pakistan a grant of Rs1.54 billion to fight against Covid-19.
An agreement to this effect was signed in the federal capital on Tuesday. Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Kuninori Matsuda and Secretary Economic Affairs Noor Ahmed were present in the signing ceremony.
The grant will be helpful for purchase of health-related equipment, particularly ventilators and oxygen cylinders.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Economic Affairs Noor Ahmed expressed that Pakistan values the bilateral and friendly relations with Japan and both countries share common views on most of the regional and international economic issues.
He said that Japanese economic assistance has played and shall continue to play a vital role in the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan.
He said that Japan has played a major role in eradication of polio in the country and due to its untiring support Pakistan has been able to substantially control the poliovirus in Pakistan. Japan is still insisting on complete eradication till the zero polio patients are reported, he added.
He also appreciated Japan’s assistance to build an intensive care unit and maternal and child health facilities at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, worth JPY 3.62 billion. He added that Japan has extended similar grant assistance for Hyderabad (Sindh).
He highlighted that the grant assistance in the form of medical equipment during the pandemic (Covid-19) is timely. Pakistan is going through a second wave of the pandemic and the number of patients is higher, hence over burdening the health systems in Pakistan.
This grant will supplement the health facilities of the hospitals, the risk to health workers and doctors shall be minimized due to personal protection equipment during the treatment of COVID patients. Ventilators, oxygen cylinders and generators will help the vulnerable and serious patients, he added.
The Japanese ambassador said that Pakistan adopted an effective strategy against the pandemic, and it will hopefully better cope with the second wave of COVID-19 as well. He said that Japan will continue extending cooperation with Pakistan for its socio-economic development.
