Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Ackio Egawa says his country’s development assistance is anchored to support sincere self help development efforts of recipient countries.
Speaking when he donated assorted medical equipment to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) worth about K5.5 billion under the grant aid, in Lusaka, today, Mr Egawa said the donation demonstrates his country’s commitment to contribute to the Zambian government’s development efforts .
Under the grant , the Japanese government has facilitated the rehabilitation of twelve operating rooms, three intensive care units comprising the main intensive care unit, the neonatal intensive care unit and the paediatric intensive care unit, five special observation rooms and five birthing rooms.
“In addition ,there has been procurement and installation of various pieces of medical equipment, most notable of which are anaesthesia machines, suction machines, sonograms and patient surveillance monitors, among others,” the ambassador said.
He also said that a team of Japanese experts worked together with the medical and technical stuff of UTH for skills transfer in the operation and maintenance of the equipment.
Mr. Egawa said this is in a bid to ensure effective and efficient management of the new hospital facilities, thereby guaranteeing longer life span.
Mr. Egawa states that Japan’s continued assistance to the health sector in Zambia is based on the belief that the quality of health service directly reflects the quality of life for the people at grassroots level and thus indicative of the social development of the nation.
The ambassador commended government and the people of the Republic of Zambia in their sincere efforts towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in the health sector.
He said that the contribution of equipment will have positive impact on the initiatives being undertaken by the Zambian government aimed at further reducing maternal and child mortality in Zambia.
And Deputy Minister in the ministry of Health Dr. Christopher Kalila said the equipment donated will go a long way in improving the quality of health in the country.
Dr. Kalila said the medical equipment is very vital and important for use in serving lives at the institution.
He noted that government has so far spent K 7 billion on rehabilitating the institution in a bid to provide quality health services.
He added that government is also extending this development to other parts of Zambia, as it has been on its agenda to improve healthy facilities across the country.
ZANIS
May the almighty God bless JAPAN from earthquake, we pray that your economy will raise again and beat China. Zambia is with you in your dreams for a better JAPAN.
Doumo arigatou gozaimashita (Thank you very much). Japan’s assistance to Zambia is very sincere. We always appreciate that and I hope the donated equipment will be used carefully to serve their intended purpose.
I love the Japanese, very practical and honorable people.
Japanese are the best investment partners. I wish I could find a link on how they can invest in partnership on my land in either agriculture or tourism. Big Up to Japanese Govt.
# 4: Talk to me! Just kidding ha ha ha! Have a good weekend.