(KPL)The Government of Japan is providing grant assistance worth approximately USD 82,000 for the benefit of residents in Phongsaly Province through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) on March 22, in Vientiane.

The project supports the construction of a new hospital building as well as the provision of medical equipment, hospital furniture and a water tank at Phiasu Small Hospital in Bountai District in Phongsaly Province to improve their healthcare services.

The grant agreement was signed by Mr. KOBAYASHI Kenichi, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao P.D.R. and representatives of the provincial authority, witnessed by H.E. Mr. Khamphoy VANNASANE, the Governor of Phongsaly Province.

“Phiasu Small Hospital is one of the eight small hospitals established in Bountai District, providing medical services to residents in nine villages. The existing building in the hospital is deteriorating due to aging, and water supply is often cut off during the dry season. Therefore, despite the fact that the hospital has facilities for childbirth, we have heard that some pregnant women have no choice but to give birth at the district hospital, nearly 20 km away by a dirt road, due to concerns about sanitation and other reasons.” Ambassador KOBAYASHI said.

“We believe this project will help to provide medical services in an appropriate and hygienic environment at the Phiasu Small Hospital. We would like to continue our support in health sector in Phongsaly Province, in order to well improved health indicators in Bountai District and Phongsaly Province as a whole.”, he added.

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) provides funds for relatively small-scale projects that directly benefit local residents by supporting economic and social development in developing countries including Laos.

The Government of Japan has provided more than USD 210,000 to Phongsaly Province over the past five years to support education, health, infrastructure, and other areas. In shared effort to address regional disparities in socio-economic development, Japan will continue to support initiatives to improve the basic standard of living at grassroots level in the Lao P.D.R. to ensure “no-one is left behind”.

KPL