Japan’s GGP Grant to Belau National Hospital

 
          On Friday, April 30, 2021, His Excellency, KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Palau, formally handed over ICU vital signs monitors to Belau National Hospital. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Procurement of ICU Vital Signs Monitors for Belau National Hospital” was held at Belau National Hospital, and was attended by President Whipps, Directors and officials of the hospital.
 
          These monitors were purchased in the total cost of $48,700, through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
 
          Belau National Hospital bears a very important responsibility in the medical field since it is the only public hospital and has inpatients wards / “niuin” facility in this country. However, the vital monitoring equipment and its setup in medical and surgical ICUs are inadequate to treat the patients in a timely manner. Hence, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant vital sign monitors including patient monitors and central stations to Belau National Hospital.
 
          In the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa stated that this grant would definitely contribute to the early detection of patient deterioration, appropriate diagnosis and treatment and expressed his hope that this project would lead to further development of Belau National Hospital. President Whipps conveyed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for many GGP assistances granted in different fields and was grateful for these projects that save people’s life. Furthermore, he stated that the Government of Palau is looking forward to strengthening hospital functions for residents and visitors working with the Government of Japan including the technical support.
 
          The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of May 3, 2021, the Embassy has signed 87 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan in its GGP. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html .

 
          On Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Ambassador of Japan Toshiyuki Yamada and Director Ngirachisau Mekoll from the Bureau of Hospital and Clinical Services of Belau National Hospital (BNH) signed the grant contract for “The Project for Procurement of ICU Vital Signs Monitors for Belau National Hospital,” valued $48,700, under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Director Merur from the Bureau of Nursing and other BNH personnel.
 
          Out of more than 2,000 patients admitted to BNH every year, almost 10% are in critical condition and require ICU monitoring. However, current vitals monitoring equipment and set up in medical and surgical ICUs and step-downs are not adequate enough to treat the patients in a timely manner. There are bedside trolleys which record the patients’ basic vital signs, but these are not sufficiently alarmed or centralized. Therefore, doctors and nurses have to keep looking at the patient and its monitoring screen constantly.
 
          In light of this, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant BNH vital signs monitors including patient monitors and central stations. The new central station will now alarm if there is any abnormalities in the patients’ condition. Furthermore, this will contribute to early detection of patient deterioration, appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and reduction in overall patient mortality and costs of treatment.
 
          In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Yamada expressed his hope that the implementation of this project could improve patient safety in BNH. Director Mekoll expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s assistance and emphasized the importance of granted equipment.
 
          The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of February 28, 2019, the Embassy has signed 77 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan for GGP in order to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455.