SUKKUR, Oct 31: One hundred and seventy two projects in the social sector are being aided and financed by the government of Japan in Pakistan to help and augment the performance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

This was stated by the consultant of the Embassy of Japan at Islamabad, Sardar Waseemuddin Khan, during a visit to the Engro Thalassaemia and Mother-Child Care Centre and Blood Bank Sukkur on Wednesday.

These centres are being run under the auspices of the Sukkur Blood and Drugs Donating Society.

Mr Waseemuddin said that the government of Japan had funded these projects to the tune of $8.3 million, and expressed satisfaction on the overall performance of the NGOs.

He disclosed that more than 70 per cent of Japanese aid was spent on health, education and women’s development projects.

He lauded the society’s performance during the last 14 years while combating blood diseases, specially Thalassaemia.

Dr Mohammad Naeem, president of the society, informed the consultant that under the GRA programme of the government of Japan the society

had held seminars, rallies, workshops from May 2001 to April 30, 2002 and more than 25,000 people had been provided blood donations and medicines for AIDS and Hepatitis-B and C.

More than 1,710 child patients of blood cancer had also been provided screened blood/transfusion during this period, he said.—APP