Pakistan, Japan Sign Grant Agreement for Improvement of Child Healthcare Facilities in South Punjab

PAKISTAN-JAPAN

A signing ceremony for the Grant Agreement, Exchange of Notes, and Record of Discussion between the Governments of Pakistan and Japan under the project titled “Improvement of Child Health Care Facilities in South Punjab” was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on January 13, 2026.

Under the project, the Government of Japan has approved a grant of JPY 2.91 billion (approximately US$18.62 million) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Japanese Grant-in-Aid programme.

The project aims to strengthen diagnostic and treatment systems at the Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health (ICH), Multan, and enhance its capacity as the only specialized tertiary-care children’s hospital in the region. This will be achieved through the expansion of facilities and the provision of essential medical equipment required to deliver healthcare services to high-risk neonates, infants, and children suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on behalf of their respective governments.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Humair Karim expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support and assured full facilitation from Pakistan to ensure the successful implementation of the project, while also emphasizing the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Pakistan to deepen friendly relations and expand bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector.

ER News Desk

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