Japan helps establish safe motherhood hospital in Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 19 (UNI) Japan has extended financial assistance of over Rs 50 lakh to a Nepalese organisation for the construction of a hospital building for the Safe Motherhood Centre under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme.

A grant contract to this effect was signed and exchanged yesterday between Tatsuo Mizuno, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal and Kunnam Pokhrel, president of Asian Mama Nepal.

The grant of Rs 53,87,000 will be utilised for the building with incinerator, generator and an ambulance, a press release from the Embassy of Japan said.

Mr Mizuno said this assistance would benefit the local communities in Saptari and surrounding districts and contribute to the improvement of women's overall health condition.

Graduates from Kobe University, Japan, had established the Asian Mama Nepal in 1997.

Since then it is providing services in health, education, and safe motherhood which include safe delivery pre-natal care for mothers and babies, and antenatal clinical services.

The organisation will bear around 31 per cent of the total cost of the project of Rs 7.8 million.

UNI XC SKB RN1544