The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines has donated PHP6.49 million worth of specialized medical equipment to support the operations of this town’s rural health unit.

At a ceremonial turnover late Wednesday, Nishimura Tokiko, the second secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, said the project was funded in 2021 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

“We hope that the equipment will dramatically improve the productivity of the rural health unit as a one-stop secondary laboratory center on infectious and non-infectious diseases for the well-being of residents of Palo,” Nishimura said.

“Based on the doctrine of human security for all, GGP is a lasting proof of the enduring commitment of the Embassy of Japan to support local initiatives. Our mission is to protect and uplift the lives of people on the ground,” she added.

The donation has transformed the rural health unit into a one-stop secondary laboratory center on infectious and non-infectious diseases that could serve more than 18,000 people in 33 villages in Palo, a town near Tacloban City.

Among the donated equipment include Hycel hycount 5 pro hematology analyzer, a machine that tests complete blood count; Olympus CX23 clinical microscope, which is used to identify microorganisms that cannot be seen by the naked eyes; Digisystem laboratory instrument that separates micro volumes of blood and solutions; and Hycel semi-auto chemistry analyzer, a machine capable of testing blood chemistry.

Other equipment includes Fukuda electrocardiograph, which is used to monitor or check how the heart functions; Honda HS2200 ultrasound machine for capturing images of organs, tissues, and other structures inside the body; and a Skanray skan mobile 230 X-ray machine, which is used to produce pictures of internal tissues, bones and organs on digital view.

Mayor Remedios Petilla said the donation is a dream come true for their town as people could now go directly to the rural health unit and avail all necessary services.

As the top official development assistance donor for the Philippines, the Japanese government launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities.

Currently, 557 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between the two countries and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships, according to Nishimura. (PNA)