The Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has signed a grant contract worth over SBD1,250,000, for the rehabilitation of clinics and staff houses in Ranongga Island in Western Province.

First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Hiroaki Fujiwara, and Dr. George Malefoasi, Permanent Secretary and Special Duty for Ministry of Health and Medical Services signed the contract this morning.

Supported through the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Project (GGP), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services today received the grant for the rehabilitation of three clinics buildings and their staff houses in Ranongga - Lare RHC, Mondo NAP and Kara NAP with the following 2 projects.

The Project for the Rehabilitation of Lare Rural Health Clinic and Staff Houses (US$83,066):
-One (1) Rural Health Clinic Building
-Two (2) Staff Houses with respective water tank and toilet/shower facility

The Project for the Rehabilitation of Nurse Aid Post and Staff Houses in Mondo, West Ranongga (US$84,132):
-Two (1) Nurse Aid Post Building
-One (1) Staff House with respective water tank and toilet/shower facility

Kara:
-Two (1) Nurse Aid Post Building
-One (1) Staff House with respective water tank and toilet/shower facility

First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Hiroaki Fujiwara, stated that Japan is known as the country with frequent earthquakes.

"We understand how earthquake and tsunami cause serious damages to the society, not only physically but also mentally, and we are deeply distressed by the fact that there are still many people in tsunami affected areas who are forced to survive without proper health and medical services," Mr. Fujiwara said.

Mr. Fujiwara added that the decision of the Government of Japan to provide assistance to Ranongga is "an indication of our wish that people overcome the depression caused by earthquake and tsunami as soon as possible and get back the normal life."

"This assistance is a genuine expression of the goodwill of the people of Japan, who always appreciate the long-standing friendship and cordial relations between Japan and Solomon Islands," he added.