DUSHANBE, April 1, 2015, Asia-Plus – Japan’s government continues supporting enhancement of Tajikistan’s social sector.

According to Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe Mr. Takashi Kamada, Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, on March 25 attended a handover ceremony in Jirgatol District for the project, Construction of Surgical Department of Regional Hospital in Lakhsh Settlement, Jirgatol District.

The project was reportedly funded by the Government of Japan in the amount of US$111,133 through the framework of Japan’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”. Around 12,000 local residents visited Lakhsh Settlement’s regional hospital each year, however, in spite of its importance, the surgical department’s 30 years-old building had been in an undesirable condition. Now with the project completion, the new surgical department building has been built and new medical equipment has also been installed, which altogether have effectively created an environment suitable for the surgical treatments.

Mr. Muzaffarjon Mahmoudov, Deputy Chairperson of Jirgatol District, during the ceremony, expressed his appreciation for Japan’s continuous support on behalf of the Jirgatol District residents.

On the following day, March 26, Mr. Kamada visited Murgab District in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) to attend the handover ceremony for project, Improvement of Regional Hospital in Qara-kul Jamoat, Murgab District.

As another GGP project, the total amount of US$120, 373 was granted to the local government of Murgab District in order to construct a new hospital building and install a set of new medical equipment.  The hospital’s previous building was built in the 1960’s and did not have proper insulation.  This caused all the patients and doctors to endure long winters in a particularly harsh condition, which was added also by the lack of proper medical equipment.  Pregnant mothers and newborn babies were particularly vulnerable in such condition.  With the project completion now the hospital has been relocated into the newly constructed building where the set of new equipment has also been installed. Mr. Ernazar Sattorov, Deputy Chairperson of Murgab District, expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support.

On March 29, Mr. Kamada attended another GGP project handover ceremony in Sizhd Village, Shugnan District, which was one of the six villages targeted by the project, Project for Disaster Risk Reduction along the Panj River.

The Government of Japan reportedly provided a total of US$103,867 to: reinforce the riverbank in Rijist village in Roshtqala District and Barsem and Shitam villages in Shugnan District; construct a pedestrian bridge in Sizhd village in Shugnan District and Andarv village in Roshtqala District; and to rehabilitate the irrigation canal in Bijur village in Roshtqala District.

While the Government of Japan being the donor, the project was successfully implemented through cooperation with FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance. During the handover ceremony, Mr. Aziz Giyoyev, Chairperson of Shugnan District, on behalf of the local communities expressed the significance of these projects to the livelihood of the local residents and thanked Japan’s contribution to the development of the area. Mr. Shodmon Hojibekov, Executive Officer of FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, also acknowledged Japan’s substantial presence in development projects in the region.

The Government of Japan is dedicated to continuing its support and cooperation with the people of Tajikistan for creating positive impacts on various sectors throughout the country.

“Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project” (GGP) is a scheme within Japan’s Official Development Assistance.  GGP in particular implements grassroots-level projects in various sectors throughout the Republic of Tajikistan. Recipients of GGP grants include local governments, educational and medical institutions, and NGOs.  As of today, GGP has supported 341 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan, for which US$ 27.6 million has been allocated since 1996.