On Thursday, September 30th, Ambassador Norihiko OKUDA of Japan handed over medical equipment to a mother and child care clinic in Menia. Dr. Ahmed DIAA EL-DIN, the Governor of Menia, and Mr. Albert Yousef SADEK, the chair of the local NGO which runs the clinic, also attended the ceremony. Ambassador Okuda delivered a speech, met local people who use this clinic, and exchanged views with the clinic staffs.

  This grant assistance amounting to US$ 43,272 was provided by the Government of Japan for the purpose of purchasing medical equipment to be used by the Coptic Hope Association for Care of the Handicapped and Particular Cases (the Coptic Hope Association) in the maternal health clinic. As a result of this assistance from Japan, the Coptic Hope Association is able to improve its mother and child care with newly installed medical equipment at Abanob Charity Clinic for Women, Children and Premature babies in Beni Mazar, Menia.

  This grant is extended under the Japanese Government’s Assistance Scheme for Grassroots and Human Security Projects. This scheme was launched in Egypt in 1994 and 128 projects totaling over US$ 5 million have been implemented so far. This is the second projects in this year and three other projects will be initiated by December.