Japan and Palau Signed $2.3 million Grant Aid Contract for MRI Machine and Incinerator
On September 28th, 2021, His Excellency KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Palau, and His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau exchanged notes on the Japan’s Grant Aid “The Economic and Social Development Programme” for Palau. Honorable Gustav Aitaro, Minister of State and Directors of Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) witnessed the ceremony.
In this project worth 250 million Japanese yen (2.3 million USD), Japan will provide MHHS with a set of medical equipment including a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and an incinerator made in Japan. The grant is one of the commitments between Prime Minister of Japan SUGA and President Whipps in the 9th Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM9) last July.
The main purpose of this project is to provide an MRI machine made in Japan to enhance standards of medical treatment and preventive measures in Palau. The introduction of MRI, effective and reliable technology to diagnose cancers and tumors in early stages, is expected to decrease the number of people who have to go overseas for diagnosis and to reduce medical costs. In addition, a new incinerator provided by the grant will enable MHHS to deal with medical wastes in safe and environment-friendly manners.
At the ceremony, President Whipps thanked Ambassador, the People and Government of Japan for the Grant Aid. He stated, “On behalf of the Republic of Palau, we really appreciate our very special partnership and friendship.” Ambassador KARASAWA stated that the grant aid would improve the standards of medical treatment in the hospital and Japan would continue to provide assistances in medical areas for the people of Palau.