The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of 97,874 US Dollars; equivalent to approximately 8,470,994 Nepalese Rupees to B.P. Eye Foundation in Kathmandu District. This financial assistance is extended under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan in Japan's Fiscal Year 2012. B.P. Eye Foundation will implement the Project for Improvement of Medical Service Provision in Rural Nepal.

The Grant Contract relating to this project was signed and exchanged today between His Excellency Mr. Kunio TAKAHASHI, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Prof. Dr. Madan Prasad Upadhyay, Chairman of B.P. Eye Foundation.

B.P. Eye Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Kathmandu, has been working as a pioneer in the field of ophthalmic health since its establishment in 1991. One of the well-known achievements of the organization is the establishment of the B.P. Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University in 1996. Besides this, the organization has conducted free medical camps related to people’s eye and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) health in different districts including the Mid-Western and Far-Western Regions for many years. According to the biannual report (2010/11) of the organization, a total of 8,009 children and 1,137 adults have been examined by specialists and have been provided with treatment such as medication and minor operations, where necessity. However, despite the organization’s untiring effort to expand their service in terms of quantity as well quality, the current medical equipment, especially portable equipment for outreach medical camps, is in insufficient condition due to deterioration and malfunction. The doctors and medical experts engaged in the medical camps are facing difficulties during diagnosis and treatment caused by equipment which is not in good condition,, and as a result, the rural people are being deprived of precious opportunity to receive the necessary medical service from specialists in ophthalmic and ENT health.   

To address these issues, the organization will improve the scope of outreach medical services by replacing old equipment such as direct ophthalmoscope, refraction set, hand held slit lamp, tonometer, keratometer, A/B scan (ultrasound scan) etc,  with new equipment for ophthalmic medical care service. Likewise, an audio meter, otoscope, tympanometer, and a head light for ENT medical care service will be replaced with new equipment. In addition, an indirect ophthalmoscope, autorefractor and prescreener for ophthalmic service and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) diagnostic machine for ENT service will be introduced for the first time to the organization to make their outreach medical service provision more effective and efficient.

Speaking at the function, H.E. Mr. Kunio TAKAHASHI expressed his belief that project signed today is going to contribute to support rural people’s health , and he hopes that this grant will play a significant role in further strengthening the cordial and friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.