Of goodwill and healthcare: Japan extends Rs1.38bn aid to Child Health Institute

New investment will expand the institute’s facilities from 40 beds to 250 beds .

KARACHI: Despite its limited resources, the Sindh Government Child Health Institute near Nagan Chowrangi has been managing to cater to the medical needs of more than 1,000 patients, and now it aims to serve more people after the Japan international Cooperation Agency (Jica) has granted aid worth Rs1.38 billion.

Japanese ambassador Hiroshi Inomata inaugurated the construction of the new project for the improvement of the institute on Tuesday.



Speaking at the ceremony, Jica chief representative Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki said, “This grant will enable the government of Sindh to expand the institute’s facilities to 250 beds. It will also help procure 500 items of medical equipment. This project aims to provide advanced pediatric care and establish a strong patient referral system in Karachi.”

Earlier, this hospital had only 40 beds and poor equipment, but after this project it will have 250 beds and good quality equipment, which will improve its services as currently around 60 doctors are serving approximately 1,200 patients daily, said Dr Kamran Memon, a medical officer at the institute, while talking to The Express Tribune.

Nurse Aarfa Ameer said the institute had nothing when it was established and only with time, people from different parts of city started visiting the hospital as it provides all medical services for just Rs5.

According to a report by a British-based organisation, Pakistan has the highest rate of first-day deaths and stillbirths at 40.7 per 1,000 births. “Child mortality is one of the great shames of the modern world. Every day, 18,000 children under five die, and most of them from preventable diseases,” the report said.

“I sincerely hope this improved hospital will contribute to the community and serve as a drive for significant improvement in child healthcare in Sindh,” said Kawasaki, referring to the report.

According to Inomata, “Investment in child health is an investment in the country’s future. We have to ensure that all the children receive proper medical treatment.”

Providing good quality healthcare services is one of the reasons behind Japan’s assistance to Pakistan, he added. “Upon the request of the government of Sindh, Japan decided to provide a grant aid to expand the facilities at the institute.”

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sikandar Mandhro expressed deep gratitude to Japan’s commitment to child healthcare in Karachi and said, “Japan has been generously contributing in the child healthcare of Pakistan, which shows the spirit of serving humanity.”

While addressing the staff, he said, “We should value the aid and take responsibility of the institute keeping in mind that our future is in our hands.”

Adding to his remarks, Sindh health secretary Iqbal Durrani said, “We have to make it a well-equipped and accessible hospital for the people.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2014.