On Friday, December 2, 2016, Ambassador of Japan Toshiyuki Yamada and Director of Bureau of Public Health Sherylinn Madraisau signed the grant contract, valued $25,109, under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and was witnessed by Minister of Health Gregorio Ngirmang, Senator Sandra S. Pierantozzi, Delegate Gibson Kanai, Delegate-elect Mrs. Victoria Kanai and related BNH staff.

[restrict]

Through “The Project for Improving Community Health Care of Belau National Hospital”, one brand new vehicle and medical instruments will be granted to the Community Health Unit, so called Home Health, under the Bureau of Public Health. These granted items will be used to visit homebound patients all over Palau, including outer islands. This is the first GGP project granted by the Japanese government to Palau in this Japanese fiscal year.

The Community Health Unit has been working earnestly to provide medical services to homebound patients by visiting their houses. However, the number of home visit had to decline due to the breakdown of vehicles and limited number of medical equipment. This project will enable the Community Health staff to increase the number of home visit and will secure safe and better quality of medical care to all homebound patients and their caregivers.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Yamada expressed his wish that this project would contribute to further development of Belau National Hospital and enable people, especially for those with special needs, to have better access to medical services in Palau.

The Government of Japan launched GGP in Palau in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities. As of December 2016, the Embassy has signed 63 grant contracts with educational institutions and state governments as well as non-profit organizations in Palau. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan and its GGP. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455. [/restrict]