Islamabad: The government of Japan has announced a grant of $65,470 (Rs18 million) for the Pakistan Red Crescent Society to strengthen blood donation services in Islamabad and surrounding areas.
The grant contract was signed at the Japanese Embassy here on Friday by Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi and PRCS officials. Under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme, the funding will support “The Project for the Refurbishment of Second-hand Blood Donation Vehicle for the Pakistan Red Crescent Society Regional Blood Donation Centre.”
The project will refurbish a mobile blood donation vehicle from Japan, enabling PRCS to conduct drives at universities, workplaces, public spaces and mosques. The initiative will expand access to blood for patients suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia, cancer and victims of road traffic accidents, while also improving preparedness for natural disasters and other emergencies. The project is expected to increase blood collection capacity by 30 per cent, potentially saving around 12,000 patients annually.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu emphasised that human security began with protecting each individual life, the foundation of Japan’s assistance policy. “Securing blood stocks is directly linked to saving lives and improving access to medical treatment,” he said. Highlighting Japan’s enduring friendship with Pakistan, he said that the government will continue supporting capable local NGOs and hoped the project would reflect the strong, longstanding ties between the two countries.
