Kathmandu, Aug 30: The Government of Japan on Friday handed over advanced ophthalmological medical equipment to Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar Metropolitan City,

Morang. Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Nepal TAMURA Takahiro attended the ceremony. 

Issuing a press release Embassy of Japan in Nepal informed that under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of Japan, the Project for the Installation of Medical Equipment for Patients with Cataract and Glaucoma at Koshi Hospital was supported with USD 142,568 (approximately NPR 16 million).

This initiative aims to enhance the quality of eye care services not only for the residents of Morang District but also for neighbouring districts such as Sunsari, Ilam, Dhankuta and Terhathum.

On the occasion, Deputy Chief of Mission Tamura congratulated and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in the project. He emphasized that this project will help to reduce barriers in daily life and psychological anxiety of the patients with visual impairment and the financial burden on their families.

He also mentioned his hope that the hospital will significantly improve its capabilities to solve the problems of eye diseases by using advanced medical equipment.

Since its establishment in 1890, Koshi Hospital has been a vital healthcare institution in Eastern Nepal, serving approximately 300,000 patients annually. The growing number of eye-related problems in Nepal, including cataracts and glaucoma, underlines the critical need for improved eye care services.

“We also believe that it will further strengthen the enduring friendship between the people of Japan and Nepal.” Release read.

GGP was established to implement projects that directly benefit people at the grassroots level for the socio-economic development of communities.

Since 1991, over 200 GGP projects have been implemented in Nepal.