ISLAMABAD: Japanese ambassador Mr WADA Mitsuhiro on Thursday inaugurated a 156-bed extension of the Children Hospital and the Mother and Child Healthcare Intensive Care Unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims)constructed in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Pims spokesperson Dr Aneza Jalil, while talking to Dawn, said that on July 15, 2019, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had approved the project worth Rs4.3 billion, in which JICA had to pay Rs3.9 billion and Rs400 million had to be arranged from local resources.

“The health facility, which is between the Children Hospital and Mother and Child Hospital, has been connected with both hospitals through a corridor. Out of 156 beds, 81 are for the Gyne ward and 75 are for children. 20 beds, out of 75 beds for children, are for paediatric surgery along with an ICU facility,” she said.

Dr Jalil said that the extension of the Children Hospital would be used for under-five-year-old children.

“There are operation theatres (OTs), delivery room and a number of equipment have also beenprovided by JICA,” she said.

However, when asked about the amount of Rs400 million, which had to be arranged by Pakistan, she said that it had to be used for the purchase of furniture but could not be used because of the austerity measures announced by the government.

“We have sought one year extension in the project in which all the arrangements, from local resources, would be made available and the process of hiring human resources would be started for 156 beds. Currently, we will use the existing staff of the hospital,” Dr Jalil said.

Earlier, Executive Director (ED) Pims Dr Imran Sikander received the ambassador. Senior doctors, including Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil, Prof. Dr Amjad Chaudhry, Prof. Dr Maqbool, Prof. Dr Sadia and others, were present at the occasion.

The ambassador had a look at the mother-care hospital and showed satisfaction.

“The project will further strengthen the relations between people of Pakistan and Japan. I hope that the project will play a role in providing timely treatment to patients and will decrease their sufferings,” he said.

The ambassador also visited the Children’s Hospital, which was constructed with the cooperation of JICA. He also visited the College of Medical Technology (CMT) and the College of Nursing, which were also constructed with the collaboration of JICA.

Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro showed satisfaction by seeing that all the setups were functioning well.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023