The Government of Japan extended a grant of US 72,532 dollars (approximately Rs 7.3 million) to Hamdard Foundation for the "Project for Expanding and Strengthening Hamdard Free Mobile Dispensaries" under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme.
The grant contract was signed on February 10, at the Japan Information and Culture Centre of the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi, between Akira Ouchi, Consul General of Japan in Karachi and Sadia Rashid, President of Hamdard Foundation. Yosuke Yamada, the representative of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited was also present at the occasion.
The grant covers the cost of 10 vehicles along with equipment for the mobile dispensaries in Karachi. Six of the ten vehicles will replace the old ones and four will be used in new areas. They currently serve more than 40,000 people in Karachi. And with the implementation of this project an additional number of more than 10,000 people are expected to benefit every month. In addition to the grant, Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited will provide after-sales service warranty for two additional years. This project is the first case of public-private partnership between the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi and Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited.
At the signing ceremony Ouchi sincerely hoped that the implementation of this project would improve healthcare services for many more people in Karachi. Ouchi also wished that this support from the people of Japan would further strengthen friendly relationship between Japan and Pakistan.-PR