Islamabad, January 13, 2026: Japan has extended a grant aid of 2,910 million Japanese Yen to Pakistan for the “Project for the Improvement of Child Health Care Facilities in South Punjab,” aimed at strengthening pediatric healthcare services in the region.
The exchange of notes for the grant took place in Islamabad on Tuesday between Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Subsequently, the Grant Agreement was signed between Mr. Miyata Naoaki, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Pakistan Office, and Mr. Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro, Senior Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Under the project, a new child healthcare facility will be constructed at the Children Hospital Multan, a public medical institution serving as a regional hub hospital in Multan district. The new facility will include departments for Emergency, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Surgery, and Laboratory services.
The project aims to strengthen diagnostic and treatment systems at the Children’s Hospital and the Institute of Child Health Multan. It also seeks to enhance the hospital’s role as a specialized tertiary care facility and a disaster response hub through infrastructure expansion and the provision of modern medical equipment. These improvements are essential to delivering quality healthcare services to high-risk neonates, infants, and children suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve the quality of child healthcare services in South Punjab and neighboring provinces, contributing to better health outcomes across the region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said the agreement marked an important milestone in Japan–Pakistan cooperation. “I am confident that this project will make a significant contribution to pediatric healthcare in South Punjab and beyond,” he said.
JICA Pakistan Chief Representative Miyata Naoaki noted that the project would support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by helping to reduce infant mortality rates and improve the standard of pediatric emergency care.
Once completed, the facility will also serve as a center of excellence, meeting the requirements of a modern teaching hospital in line with international standards. It is expected to ease the burden on tertiary hospitals in surrounding cities while improving access to quality healthcare for families across southern Punjab, ultimately enhancing life-saving capabilities in the region.
