February 18, 2008
 Japan's Assistance For the Establishment of Safe Motherhood Center in Roopnagar
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of eighty-five thousand and thirty-nine US Dollars (USD 85,039); equivalent to approximately five million, three hundred and eighty seven thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs 5,387,000) to Asian Mama Nepal in Japan's FY 2007. The assistance has been extended to Asian Mama Nepal under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme of the Government of Japan.
A grant contract to this effect was signed and exchanged today between His Excellency
Mr. Tatsuo MIZUNO, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ms. Kunnam Pokharel, President of Asian Mama Nepal.
The Grant will be utilized for the construction of a hospital building for the Safe Motherhood Center. It will also cover the cost of procurement of medical equipments including an incinerator and generator, and an ambulance which are all vital in providing safe motherhood related services. Out of the total project cost of approximately 7.8 million Nepalese Rupees, Asian Mama Nepal will bear around 31%. Asian Mama Nepal will use the Center to provide quality safe motherhood services, which include safe delivery, pre-natal care for mothers and babies, and antenatal clinical services.
Asian Mama Nepal was established in 1997 by the graduates from the Kobe University, Japan, and since then has been providing health, education, and safe motherhood services including mobile health camps and health education in the Saptari District in collaboration with Asian Mama Japan, its counterpart Japanese NGO. The activities are also being supported by many Japanese junior high-school students in the Kobe City, Japan.
Speaking at the function, H.E. Mr MIZUNO reiterated the necessity of improving primary health services and safe motherhood facilities in rural areas of Nepal. H.E. Mr. Mizuno expressed his belief that this project will benefit the local communities in Saptari and surrounding districts, and contribute to improving women's overall health condition in the area.
Furthermore, H.E. Mr MIZUNO expressed his belief that the construction of the new Safe Motherhood Center building will strengthen the friendly and cordial relationship between the people of Japan and Nepal for years to come.
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