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Japan Provides a New Ambulance to Rotuma Rural Hospital

The Government of Japan will provide a new ambulance worth US$44,132.00 (approximately F$72,995.00), to the Rotuma Rural Hospital under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

A Grant Contract signing ceremony will be held at 11.00 a.m. on Friday, 10th February 2006 at the Embassy of Japan in Suva. During this signing ceremony, the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa will sign the grant contract with Ms. Susana Pene, Acting Sub Divisional Medical Officer, Rotuma Rural Hospital to formalise Japan’s funding assistance.

The funding for the new ambulance was approved after evaluating the request made by the Rotuma Rural Hospital. It is anticipated that the provision of the ambulance to Rotuma will ease the difficulties the people of Rotuma face in having access to medical attention, particularly in the event of emergencies. The ambulance would service the Rotuman population of approximately 2200.

Japan’s assistance to this project indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in Fiji and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training and rural infrastructure. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of Fiji Islands and Japan.