Japan provides Rs 1.3 Bn grant aid for provisioning necessary medical equipment to combat against COVID -19

Following the request of the government, Japan has agreed to provide Japanese Yen 800 million (approx. LKR 1,360 million) grant aid under the Japanese non-project grant aid scheme for the provision of necessary medical equipment such as MRI Scanner, CT scanner, Bed Side X-Ray Systems, Central Monitors, Bedside Monitors and Defibrillators etc. to strengthen the COVID -19 preventing activities in Sri Lanka.

The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by S. R. Attygalle, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development on behalf of the government and Sugiyama Akira, Ambassadorof Government of Japan today at the Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development.

“Though the country has achieved significant progress in preventing disease, the health system in Sri Lanka needs more facilities to maintain the day-to-day activities within the country up to the state before theCovid-19 pandemic.Therefore the required additional units in main hospitals with necessary equipment and human resources are being established by health authorities,” the Finance Ministry said on the urgent need for the Japanese grant.