February 19, 2007
 Japanese Assistance for Construction of Hostel for Students of Dhulikhel Medical Institute
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant of one hundred eighty-two thousand, six hundred and sixty US Dollars (USD 182,660), equivalent to approximately twelve million, eight hundred thirty-seven thousand, three hundred and forty-five Nepalese Rupees (NPR 12,837,345), to Dhulikhel Hospital, for the implementation of the Project for Construction of Students' Hostel for Dhulikhel Medical Institute. This grant falls under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan in Japan's Fiscal Year 2006.
A Grant Contract to this effect was signed and exchanged today between His Excellency Mr. Tsutomu HIRAOKA, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Dr. Ram K M Shrestha, Hospital Director, Dhulikhel Hospital.
The grant will be utilized for the construction of a two-storey hostel building consisting of 57 rooms. It will also cover the cost of procurement of furniture, construction of an access road and drainage, electrification of the hostel building and part landscaping of the construction site. Out of the total project cost of approximately 17.5 million Nepali Rupees around 25% will be borne by the Hospital and the community people.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) is a scheme to provide financial assistance for the implementation of social and economic development and emergency humanitarian assistance projects being undertaken by non-profit making local organizations and institutions in developing countries and regions. The GGP scheme has been able to provide flexible support for economic and social development cooperation activities that have a direct affect at grassroots level.
HE Mr. HIRAOKA commented on the significance of the project and the necessity for educated human resources as well as facilities to guarantee health for Nepalese people. This is particularly valuable now as the nation is standing on the launching site for its reconstruction and rehabilitation work.
H.E. Mr. HIRAOKA expressed his belief that the project will further contribute to improve the academic environment of the institute, which is eagerly working to provide quality education for students from rural areas including the Mid and Far-Western Regions H.E Mr. HIRAOKA continued by saying, in turn this would foster good medical personnel working to improve the medical status including that of rural areas of the country. H.E. Mr. HIRAOKA expects the Hospital and Institute will become a hub of medical and educational learning for the region, especially since Dhulikhel is currently being connected to Sindhuli and the Eastern Terai through the Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas Highway, which is being constructed under Grant Aid of Japanese Government, as well as Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha through Arniko Highway. Furthermore, eight sub-health posts in Kavre District are being reconstructed by ADRA-Japan under the Japanese NGO support scheme. Thus, as an integrated result of these projects, upliftment of the living standard of the people in the region can be expected.
In addition, the Hashimoto Foundation, established under an initiative of the Late Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto, is providing scholarships to students of Kathmandu University. The University has had close ties to Dhulikhel Hospital since the establishment of the hospital. Mr. HIRAOKA expressed his belief that such manifold relations would further strengthen the bonds between Japan and Nepal.
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