Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Gralessroots Human Security Projects (GGP) » Speech

Speech by H.E. Masashi Namekawa, the Ambassador of Japan for the Hunding-over Ceremony of the Project for Provision of a New Ambulance to Rewa Medical Subdivision, Nausori

• The Project for Provision of Ambulance to Nausori Hospital

2nd May 2008, 10.00 a.m.

Good Morning to you all

It is my great pleasure to be here, representing the People and the Government of Japan, in this official handing-over ceremony of a new ambulance to Nausori Hospital today. I am deeply honoured and express my sincere gratitude for your generous hospitality and the warm welcome accorded to me this morning.

The ambulance service plays an increasingly important role in modern emergency care. Rapid and competent response to accidents and emergencies could mean the difference between life and death.
Generally, ambulances enable medical professionals to provide first aid medical treatment that is required prior to and during transport, thereby, ensuring patient’s stable condition till arrival to the nearest hospital. Furthermore, a reliable and efficient ambulance service enables a hospital to respond to medical emergencies, twenty four hours, seven days.
With growing number of health centres, nursing stations and dispensaries throughout the three provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri, the ambulance service has become more integral part of the emergency services in Nausori Hospital than before.

I acknowledge that strengthening health care in Fiji is not only a priority of the Government of Fiji, not only a priority of donors and development partners of Fiji like Japan but also a high priority target of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals or MDGs. It is the collective wish of the majority of nations in the world, including Fiji, to improve healthcare and reduce mortality among the people. Such a vision cannot be achieved over night, success in securing better health care will demand sustained action spreading across generations and decades. Ladies and gentlemen, the provision of the new ambulance to Nausori Hospital today is a firm step towards that direction.

The Ministry of Health is committed to its core functions in providing adequate and fundamental health services to the people of Fiji. It is also important for other stakeholders including business houses, individuals and donor agencies to assist the government in its efforts to ensure an effective delivery of health services to the general public at all times. As such, the government of Japan donated this new ambulance through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme. This project is a testimony of Japan’s firm commitment to improve the health care of the people of Fiji and the region.

I take this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to join hands together to ensure that the health care facilities are well looked after so that the health system becomes more accessible and effective.

To conclude, this new Nissan Patrol ambulance is a symbol of the firm friendship between the people and governments of Japan and Fiji Islands. With these few words, I officially hand-over the new ambulance to the people of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri provinces and sincerely hope that this gift from the people of Japan will contribute to uplifting health services for the people of these provinces.

Thank You.  

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)