Japan donates medical, cold chain equipment
THE Department of Health on Friday received additional medical and cold-chain equipment from the government of Japan in a ceremony held at the Lung Center of the Philippines.
The donation was coursed through the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Included in the donation were refrigerated vans, vehicles for logistics distribution, cold-chain freezers for Covid-19 vaccines and a portable x-ray machine.
Acting Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the assistance package also includes ambulance units for distribution to local government units, renovation of health centers in selected cities and provinces, hemodialysis machines, and negative pressure booths.
The Japan government also assisted in the creation of programs for drug prevention and rehabilitation through the development of mechanisms for relapse prevention.
Vergeire said that as of October 10, the Japanese government has already donated over 37 billion yen, or around P3.2 billion to the Philippines.
“The Japanese government has been supporting us through the difficult situation that we have right now, and we are appreciative of that,” Vergeire told reporters.
Dr. Vincent Balanag, chief of the Lung Center of the Philippines, said that the portable Xray machines that were donated by the Japanese government have been used extensively during the pandemic.
“We are truly appreciative of this donation which to us is a manifestation of the kindness and generosity of the Japanese people. We are truly grateful,” Balanag said.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshika said the donations “further solidify our commitment to the health care system in the Philippines,” and the donations are vital to the strengthening of the country’s health care system.
“These high-tech Japanese instruments enabled beneficiary hospitals in the Philippines to provide seamless patient care services to thousands of Filipinos,” Koshikawa said in his remarks read for him by the embassy’s economic affairs minister, Daisuke Nihei.
Koshikawa added that the donations will also give a “ray of hope” for better health care services in the country.
JICA Philippines chief representative Takema Sakamoto said that the JICA’s assistance to cold chain and logistics support is part of their last one mile support to increase vaccinations against Covid-19 and jumpstart the economy.
“A friend in need is a friend in deed. Rest assured that we remain to be your closest and most reliable partner in your recovery from Covid-19. Let us work together to achieve a better quality of life for every Filipino with the spirit of bayanihan (togetherness),” Sakamoto added.