Japanese govt gives grant to Sarawak Family Planning Association
KOTA KINABALU: The Sarawak Family Planning Association (Sarawak FPA) has received a grant of RM154,000 from the Japanese government for its activities.
Head of the Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Shiho Kako, said the grant under the Japan government’s ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’ is to fund the purchase of ultrasound scanners for the two clinics in Kuching and Bintulu respectively.
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum for the grant between Sarawak FPA and the Consular Office of Japan here yesterday, Kato disclosed that the office received the application for a grant from Sarawak FPA in March last year.
“Sarawak FPA which is a nonprofitable organization, has been providing healthcare services for women especially in rural areas in Sarawak at a reasonable cost for 60 years. However, it was noticed that the existing equipment was old and not good enough to fulfil its purpose.
“We carefully examined the application and learned that the Sarawak FPA was in urgent need to obtain new suitable ultrasound machines so that it could continue its activities,” she said, adding that in response, the government of Japan decided to approve the application.
According to Kato, the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects is one of the aid schemes to meet the basic human needs such as projects that are highly beneficial at the grass-roots level and those that require timely support on humanitarian grounds.
“To date, we have contributed approximately RM7 million to 52 projects in Sabah and Sarawak. This grant assistance is funded by the taxpayers of Japan. Therefore, I would say that this particular aid to this project is an exemplification of the goodwill of the Japanese people towards the people in Sarawak,” she added.
“I sincerely hope that this grant aid will further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Malaysia, Sarawak in particular, and this machine will be effectively utilised for the improvement of family life in Sarawak for many years to come,” Kato said.
Meanwhile Wee Chong Hui, chairman of Sarawak FPA, thanked the Japan government for the grant which is greatly needed by the association.
“Sarawak FPA was started in 1963 to provide reproductive sexual health services to those who are unable to access the government’s health services. We started with breast examination, pap smear then went on to health screening as well as counselling on infectious diseases, HIV and AIDS.
“The most difficult to provide is diagnostic imaging and an ultrasound scanner is most useful and with it we can improve our services,” she said, adding that Sarawak FPA has about 7,000 clients now.
Wee in thanking the Japanese government said, “It is not the equipment that the people of Japan has provided to assist us but it is actually the spirit of partnership. You understood our problem in trying to reach out to the marginalised people. We are so grateful and look forward to future partnerships.”