Japan Pledges 478mln Birr Grant to Ethiopia’s effort to contain COVID-19
ADDIS ABABA – Japan and Ethiopia have signed on Friday an Exchange of Notes for the Grant aid which will help Addis Ababa to procure medical equipment to be used in the fight against COVID-19.
The grant, to be provided under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Program, is worth USD13.6 million or approximately 478 million birr.
The grant agreement was signed by finance minister Ahmed Shide and Matsunaga Daisuke, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia.
Ambassador Matsunaga explained that “this grant aid will contribute to enhancing measures that have been taken for the fight against infectious diseases in Ethiopia, including COVID-19”.
It will go on to strengthen the health care system through the provision of health and medical equipment including Radiography Systems and Portable Ultrasound Scanners, to hospitals and medical universities in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations as well as ten regions, according to the ambassador”.
“The health sector is one of Japan’s priorities in terms of support for Ethiopia, and as a friend of this great country, it is a pleasure to be able to contribute to the health and well-being of the Ethiopian people”, Ambassador Matsunaga added.
To date, Ethiopia identified 11,933 Coronavirus cases including 197 deaths.
The Exchange of Note is a continuation of the August 2019 Yokohama TICAD 7 commitments to expand Universal Health Coverage and the African Health and Well-being Initiatives.
