Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – The Government of Japan extends support in the amount of US$433,000 to Uzbekistan. Within this grant, which will be channelled through UNICEF, Japan will support primary health care facilities in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan. 

“The Government of Japan continues providing support Uzbekistan as well as the countries in the region in and neighboring Afghanistan in the areas of healthcare, food and nutrition, protection, water and sanitation through UNICEF and other UN agencies”, said Yoshinori Fujiyama, Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan.

UNICEF will be implementing activities to adequately meet the needs of local communities, in particular, the programme will deliver specific interventions for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care facilities of Termez district of Surkhandarya region that includes the building of water pipelines, installment of water tanks, water softener and filters, construction and renovation of sanitation facilities, solar panels for electricity and hot water, and waste management facilities. The programme will also support the development of the ongoing operation and maintenance of advanced WASH infrastructure.

“Availability of required infrastructure in primary health care facilities has an important impact in providing essential services to those in need”, said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “Effective infection prevention and control measures along with the WASH services in health care facilities are at the foundation of the inclusive quality service provision for communities, women and children in need”, he added.

UNICEF will be implementing the project from March 2022 through February 2023. It is expected that about 80,000 people of the Termez district will have access to improved WASH services in seven primary health care facilities and an opportunity to benefit from an established solid waste disposal system. Also, they will be provided with education and information materials on hygiene.