The Government of Japan continues to provide funding assistance for development of health sectors in Fiji. Sigatoka Hospital celebrated the handing-over of a new ambulance that was funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The First Secretary, Mr. Takato Maki represented the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Yutaka Yoshizawa, at Sigatoka to officially hand-over the new ambulance to Sigatoka Hospital, at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 1st June, 2010.

Sigatoka Hospital is the central hospital that caters for Nadroga/Navosa province with a total population of over seventy five thousand people. The new Nissan Patrol ambulance, designed and built in Japan, worth US$60,224.00 (approximately FJD111,526.00) donated to the Hospital will not only replace the old ambulance that has surpassed its book value, but also ensure that the hospital is able to provide an effective and efficient twenty four hours, seven days a week emergency health transport system for the widely distributed population of the two provinces and major hotels and resorts along the coral coast. It is also envisaged that the new ambulance will instil public confidence in Sigatoka Hospital’s ability to provide prompt response during medical emergencies.

In recognition of the importance of an effective and reliable health service, Japan has prioritised assistance to the health sector in its effort to improve medical services to people in Fiji through well equipped hospitals. This assistance is in line with its Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which includes health, education, water supply, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties currently enjoyed by the governments and the people of Japan and Fiji Islands.