Pakistan, Japan sign $18.6m grant to boost child healthcare

January 13, 2026 (MLN):  Pakistan and Japan have signed a Grant Agreement, Exchange of Notes, and Record of Discussion to support the project titled “Improvement of Child Health Care Facilities in South Punjab”, with Japan providing approximately $18.62 million through JICA under the Japanese Grant-in-Aid.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, according to a press release issued.

The project aims to strengthen diagnostic and treatment systems at the Children’s Hospital and ICH Multan, enhancing its role as the only specialized tertiary care hospital in the region.

The initiative will expand facilities and provide essential medical equipment to deliver advanced healthcare services to high-risk neonates, infants, and children with serious illnesses or injuries, ultimately improving the quality of pediatric healthcare in southern Punjab and neighboring provinces.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, on behalf of their respective governments.

Muhammad Humair Karim thanked the Government and people of Japan for their support and assured full facilitation for the project’s successful implementation and enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to work closely with Pakistan to strengthen friendly ties and collaboration between the two countries.

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