INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
PALO, Leyte — The Japanese government, through its embassy based in Manila, donated medical equipment valued at P6.49 million to the local government here.
The medical equipment, consisting of X-ray machine, ultrasound, and other essential medical equipment, were turned over to the municipal government on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and received by Mayor Remedios Petilla.
The delegation from the Japanese Embassy was headed by its second secretary, Tokiko Nishimura.
Nishimura, in her speech during the turnover, said their country is glad to help Palo meet the medical needs of its people.
“In this evolving health landscape, the Embassy of Japan believes everyone should have access to adequate quality health services,” she said.
“We were concerned for the residents here in Palo, most particularly those who could only access very basic laboratory services that were insufficient for the majority of their health needs,” Nishimura added.
The medical equipment were placed at the town’s rural health center.
According to Nishimura, the donation is part of their government’s grant assistance for grassroots human security projects (GGP).
“Based on the doctrine of human security for all, GGP is a lasting proof to the enduring commitment of the Embassy of Japan to support local initiatives. Our mission is to protect and uplift the lives of people on the ground,” she said.
Mayor Petilla said they are grateful to the Japanese government for donating the medical equipment to them, as poor people of their town could now avail of these equipment without going to its neighboring city of Tacloban.
“The facility could now provide health services to our people, without going to a hospital,” she said.
Petilla, however, stressed that the services would not be free but with a minimal cost compared to a hospital or private clinic fee to help the local government sustain the facility.
“But if you have nothing to pay, then we can provide it for free,” she added.
The Palo mayor also said that aside from the local residents, those coming from nearby towns could also avail themselves of the services.