ISLAMABAD, APR 24 (DNA) – The Government of Japan has extended financial support of approximately 32 million USD to “The Project for the Extension of Intensive Care at Maternal and Child Health Care Centre and Children’s Hospital in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)” and approximately 17 million USD to “The Economic and Social Development Programme” for improvement of cargo inspection capacity for better security.

The grant agreements were formally signed on April 23, 2019 in Tokyo between H.E. Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and H.E. Mr. Ahmad Imtiaz, Special Secretary (Asia Pacific), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, with the presence of H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and H.E. Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi，Pakistan’s Foreign Minister.

The Project for the Extension of Intensive Care at Maternal and Child Health Care Centre and Children’s Hospital in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)

In order to respond to the growing needs at PIMS, a new ward and necessary medical equipment especially for mothers and children who require urgent attention will be provided to PIMS.

This will enable the institution to provide better quality services for high risk mothers and children, and accomodate 300 intensive-care patients a year.

Japan has placed a high priority on maternal and child health in its development assistance for Pakistan and started assisting PIMS since 1982. PIMS is one of the symbolic cooperation which represents the friendship between Pakistan and Japan.

The Economic and Social Development Programme

This grant will be utilized by Federal Board of Revenue to install appropriate security inspection equipment such as X-ray cargo scanners to maintain high security level at dry ports in order to meet the international standards.

It is hoped that the provision of the equipment will also make the cargo clearance process more efficient.=DNA

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