The government of Japan has decided to grant financial support of US $87, 292 (approximately Rs 6.97 million), under the "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects", to Al-Shifa Trust, aimed at strengthening eye care services in Kohat. With the grant, Al-Shifa Trust will get medical equipment.
The agreement for the project was signed on Wednesday, at the Japanese Ambassador's residence here between the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Chihiro Atsumi, and President of Al-Shifa Trust, Lieutenant General Jahan Dad Khan (Retd). The grant will be utilised for the provision of medical equipment for eye care services in Al-Shifa trust eye hospital Kohat, which is the only eye hospital in the city.
The purpose of the project is to enable the hospital to supply safe and high quality eye care services to the increasing number of patients in Kohat and surrounding areas. The project is expected to improve the health conditions of about 6,000 cataract patients in the area and also protect them from losing their sights.
At the signing ceremony, the ambassador stressed that the health sector is one of the priority areas in Japan's official development assistance. He also expressed his hope that this project will improve the eye care services for the people in Kohat and surrounding areas, and ultimately contribute to further strengthening of the friendly relations between the people of Japan and Pakistan.