(KPL) The Japanese Government has provided grant assistance worth US$122,962 for three health projects through its Grant-in-Aid Scheme for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGPs).

On Mar 1, 2017, grant contracts were signed at the Ministry of Health in Vientiane Capital between Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR Takeshi Hikihara, Director of the Office of Health of Pak-Ou district, Luang Prabang Province, Mr. Kenkham KHAMPHANH, and Director of the Office of Health of Kham district, Xieng Khuang Province, Mr. Bounpheng SOMPHANSOUK.

Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong and other officials witnessed the event.

The first project is for a water supply system in Hadpang, Pak-Ou district, Luang Prabang Province.

In this village, even though a water supply system exists, water is not available to all residents and they still use water from streams and deep wells.

Access to safe potable water is a serious issue, particularly during the dry season.

This project, therefore, aims to improve access to safe water by installing a new water supply system which will include a suction water tank, two decompression tanks, a water storage tank, 5.6 km of water pipelines and two water distribution points.

As a result, 469 residents, including 234 students at the Hadpang Secondary School, will benefit.

The second project is for a water supply in Samphanxay village, Kham district, Xieng Khuang Province. In this village, there is no water supply system and residents use the water of neighboring streams as water for daily life and drinking.

Access to safe potable water is a serious issue. In addition, since residents occasionally have to depend on unprotected water, they suffer from water-borne diseases. This project, therefore, aims to improve access to safe water by installing a new water supply system, including a suction water tank, a water storage tank, 5.4 km of water pipelines and seven water distribution points.

As a result, 430 residents will benefit.

The third project is to construct a new health centre in Doh village, Kham district, Xieng Khuang Province. The health centre facility that is currently there was constructed with the support of ADB in 1996, but is now becoming too old.

In addition, the number of rooms is limited and the nearest district hospital is 11 km away, access to which is often disrupted during the rainy season.

This project, therefore, aims to improve access to health services by constructing a new health centre with six rooms and a toilet block. Medical equipment will also be provided.

As a result, 2,935 residents in seven villages will benefit. In his remarks, Ambassador Hikihara emphasized, “It is critically important that the benefits of the projects are enjoyed by the people in the respective local communities as this is the most significant characteristic of GGPs.” He continued, “Japan has supported the Lao Government’s efforts to improve the health environment for many years. Through this GGP scheme, Japan has implemented 505 projects in the Lao PDR since 1989, including 137 health-related projects.”

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL News

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