Since August 2005, JOICFP has been implementing the renovation project for 12 Rural Health Centers (RHCs) in Magwe Division, Myanmar, with support of the Japanese government's Grant Aid for Japanese NGOs.

A launching ceremony for the newly renovated RHCs was held in Gway Pin RHC, Chauk Township, Magwe, on 14th July. More than 70 people attended, including those from national and local government, the Embassy of Japan, UNFPA, JOICFP, and RHC staff.

Community people celebrate the opening with dance

U Ant Maw, Member 1, Magwe Divisional Peace and Development Council, offered his congratulations on the renovations and stressed the importance of RHCs in the lives of people in rural Myanmar.

Dr. Thein Thein Htay, Director (Public Health), Department of Health (DOH), MOH, outlined the collaboration among DOH, the Japanese government, UNFPA, and JOICFP in successfully achieving the renovations, and confirmed that DOH in collaboration with UNFPA would supply necessary commodities and equipment to the renovated RHCs. She urged the community people to make good use of the new facilities.

In addition to the invited guests, many community people came to the ceremony

Masashi Ogawa, Counselor, Embassy of Japan, mentioned Japanese cooperation in the health sector in Myanmar, and he repeated that the renovation work was made possible by the collaboration of the different parties.

Ogawa hands over a banner to Dr. Aung Win, Magwe Divisional Health Director, to commemorate the renovation

Daniel Baker, Representative, UNFPA Myanmar, emphasized that the project complemented the UNFPA Special Program of Assistance, in which JOICFP has been executing a component.

Speaking for JOICFP, Sumie Ishii, Executive Director, gave an overview of the project, and she congratulated the community people, local authorities and health personnel for their efforts.

Ishii gives her appreciation to all concerned

Dr. Thein Thein Htay, Ogawa, and Ishii officially open the renovated RHC

With the Japanese government providing funds to JOICFP to renovate the centers, and UNFPA and DOH supplying necessary equipment and commodities, a successful synergy was achieved among the partnership.

Several requests were made by interested parties for JOICFP to execute similar projects, and JOICFP will look into the possibility to implement renovation in collaboration with the UNFPA Special Program of Assistance, again drawing on the synergy of Japanese ODA support, UNFPA, JOICFP, and DOH.

The newly renovated RHC at Gway Pin