Japan offers $51,341 grant for Red Crescent Hospital ultrasound equipment

AMMAN — The Government of Japan has extended a grant of $51,341 to the Jordan National Red Crescent Society for the provision of an ultrasound machine to its hospital under the project Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

A grant contract was signed by Japan’s Ambassador to Jordan Okuyama Jiro and President of the Society Mohammad Al Hadid during a ceremony on Sunday, according to a Japanese embassy statement.

This grant assistance aims to enhance the quality of medical services provided at Jordan Red Crescent Hospital by replacing an old ultrasound machine.

The hospital is located only 0.5km away from Al Wehdat refugee camp, and has played a significant role in the provision of medical services to the underprivileged population, including residents of the camp. 

With a brand new machine funded by the GGP, it is expected that patients will be able to take diagnostic services by ultrasonography more rapidly and accurately.

During the signing ceremony, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Red Crescent Society for its “great social contribution”.

“The coronavirus outbreak caused a significant economic impact in Jordan, increasing the national poverty rate to 24.1 per cent, and made it more difficult for the underprivileged population to access necessary medical services. That makes the role of Jordan Red Crescent hospital increasingly important for vulnerable people. We sincerely hope that this Japanese support will help underprivileged patients and contribute to the realisation of Universal Health Coverage.”

Hadid said: “This generous contribution embodies the long and profound relationship that we enjoy with Japan. Over the years, Jordan Red Crescent Hospital received several donations that were important to the services that we provide, such as the kitchen, the laundry room and the X-Ray department which was inaugurated by Empress  Masako in 1995. 

“Moreover, the society’s Crisis Management Centre was established in 2020 with the support of the Japanese government.  We at Jordan Red Crescent hail such partnership as it strengthens our capacities in responding to the needs of the targeted people in the community.”

Under Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, Japan has extended more than $10 million for 155 projects to non-governmental organisations, schools, hospitals, and local governments in Jordan since 1993.