Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Japanese government has given Zambia a US$2.82 million grant for the procurement of health center kits of essential drugs to respond to the immediate primary health care needs of the citizens.
The grant assistance is connection with the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) which President Edgar Lungu will attend in Japan this week.
Speaking during the signing ceremony for the exchange of notes for the grant in Lusaka, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hidenobu Sobashima said the grant is in recognition of the serious need for drugs in Zambia.
Mr. Sobashima hopes that the grant will contribute to advancing Zambia’s development through people, technology and innovation.
And Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu, who signed on behalf of the Zambian government, expressed gratitude to the government of Japan for the continued support to the Zambian government in efforts to uplift the health and living standards of the people.
Dr. Ng’andu says the agreement is a further indication of the close relations that still exist between Zambia and Japan.
He says government recognizes that strong health systems, through use of primary health care approach, are a cornerstone to meeting the vision 2030 aspiration.
Dr Ng’andu has assured the Japanese government that the drugs to be procured using the grant will be distributed in the country based on the principle of equity.