Contract Signing Ceremony with ROCINANTES for the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects by the Government of Japan

   On 9th February 2022, H.E. Mr. MIZUUCHI Ryuta, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, and Mr. TANAKA Yuta, Project Manager of ROCINANTES, a Japanese NGO, signed a grant contract, amounting up to 272,420 US dollars, for the implementation of the project titled “Project for Improvement of Maternal and Child Healthcare in Chisamba District”, under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects (GANP).
 
   Through this project, ROCINANTES is going to drill a pumping borehole on the premises of the Mwapula Health Post, where the Mother’s Shelter constructed by the NGO in the previous year is situated, as well as install solar panels which will power the borehole, refrigeration control system for medicine and vaccine, and night lighting in the delivery rooms. On top of this, Japanese cutting-edge small ultrasound machines will be provided for health facilities in the target areas. In addition, ROCINANTES plans to extend its support to strengthen perinatal knowledge and skills of Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) and health post staff through multiple training programmes.
 
   This project aims at facilitating expectant mothers in Chisamba District to receive appropriate prenatal and postnatal services, as well as safe delivery at the health post. Furthermore, this project will help to reduce the congestion in treatment and care at the higher hospitals due to the unnecessary referral cases from health posts to the higher-level hospitals, which have been a long-term problem in the country. It is expected that this project will reduce the risks on the mothers in the target area in their safety and health before, during and after childbirth.
 
  To read the speech by Ambassador MIZUUCHI at this ceremony, please click here.