Japan provides ¥21m grant for TB screening in 3 Pakistani cities

ISLAMABAD - Japan on Tuesday provided grant assistance of ¥21 million (approximately $142,500) to the Dopasi Foundation for the procurement of medical equipment and a vehicle to expand tuberculosis (TB) screening services in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal. The grant is provided under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme, with the grant contract signed between Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi and a representative of the Dopasi Foundation at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad. The project, titled 'The Project for the Procurement of Equipment and Vehicle for Tuberculosis Screening in Two Districts of Punjab Province and Islamabad City', is aimed at improving access to early diagnosis and basic healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved communities. Under the project, the Dopasi Foundation will deploy a fully equipped Mobile Health Unit to provide digital chest radiography, TB screening, family planning counselling and basic health checks to marginalised populations, including daily wage earners, women and families facing barriers to accessing healthcare. The foundation, a humanitarian organisation operating in Pakistan, has more than 200 staff members and has expanded its healthcare initiatives over the years to address the needs of underprivileged communities. The project is also receiving technical support from Toyota Tsusho Corporation in collaboration with Fujifilm. The companies have supported the development of a specially equipped Land Cruiser fitted with a compact X-ray system and artificial intelligence technology for TB screening, along with a local maintenance system to ensure the equipment remains operational on a sustainable basis. Toyota Tsusho and Fujifilm will also provide technical training to facilitate the effective and sustained use of the equipment. According to the project plan, the mobile unit is expected to provide high-quality medical screening to around 20,000 people annually. The initiative is intended to help reduce the burden of communicable diseases and overcome barriers that prevent vulnerable households from accessing timely healthcare. The project is also expected to contribute to the socio-economic resilience of vulnerable families by facilitating early diagnosis, reducing the risk of catastrophic healthcare expenditures and helping save lives through timely medical intervention. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu said human security begins with protecting every individual life, describing it as a fundamental principle of Japan's development cooperation. He stressed that access to early diagnosis and basic health services was directly linked to saving lives and helping families move out of vulnerability. The Japanese government said it would continue supporting capable local non-governmental organisations in Pakistan through grant assistance aimed at advancing human security. It expressed hope that the initiative would further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan. Tags: