Japan Donates $90,000 Medical Equipment to Bwari Hospital

  • Urges FG to focus more on universal health coverage

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
In an effort to increasing healthcare service delivery and thereby reduce the suffering of patients in the country, the Japanese government, through it’s embassy handed over medical equipment worth ninety thousand US dollars ($90, 000) to the management of Bwari General Hospital, Abuja.

Handing over the equipment, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, disclosed that the Government of Japan granted the amount of US$89,662 (Eighty-nine thousand six hundred sixty two US dollars) under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) to a local NGO to assist the project.

According to him, “In the project for procurement of medical equipment for Bwari General Hospital, we are handing over 25 types of medical equipment and tools. I believe that the equipment will contribute to better access to medical services in Bwari Area Council.

“The GGP is designed to provide financial grant assistance to nonprofit organisations and local government implementing development projects at the grassroots levels. Under the GGP, 152 projects with a total amount of US$10,456,858 have been implemented throughout Nigeria since 1998.”

Kusaoke, explained that the Embassy of Japan, have been trying to be helpful to its Nigerian friends in its pursuit of the nation’s overall economic development as well improvement it’s quality of life. To this end, “I urged the government and good people of Nigeria to focus more on the reduction in child and maternal mortality in the country.

“Our point is that, primary healthcare is very, very important. Universal health coverage is one of the pillars we want to promote in our assistance policy to Africa including of course, Nigeria. Our assistance now is along this line and we will like every medical practitioner to align with the value of PHC and as far as this is concern, the Japanese government and it’s agencies will always be forthcoming,” Kusaoke said.

He added that the donation of the equipment will bridge the gap and contribute to reduction in child and maternal mortality rate in Bwari, as well as neighbouring areas. “In order to maximise the value of the project, we would like to ask Bwari General Hospital to maintain the equipment so that it will be fully utilised and many people will be able to benefit from it as long as possible.”

Responding, Chief Medical Director, of the hospital, Dr. Osayande Osagie, who thanked the Japanese government, said “the donations of these equipment will help in alleviating the suffering of residents of Bwari, adding that with the equipment, services that were not being provided would now be available.

Osayande noted that the most important equipment was the incubator “which will allow us to watch and save the lives of the premature babies. I am highly elated that this hospital among many others have been chosen for this noble gesture by the Japanese government. We assure the ambassador of the good use and equally maintenance of these equipment.”

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