ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan celebrated the successful completion of the “Rebuilding Together” initiative, which revitalized healthcare infrastructure in flood-affected regions.
The ceremony, held at the WHO Islamabad Office, was attended by Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Wada Mitsuhiro, and other dignitaries.
The project was a collaboration between WHO-Pakistan and Japan. Millions were affected by devastating monsoon rains in mid-2022, which forced over 600,000 people to be displaced and damaged 1.9 million homes, while 2,000 health facilities across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh provinces were also affected.
With financial assistance from Japan, WHO promptly responded to communicable disease outbreaks and improved access to essential healthcare by revitalizing damaged facilities.
Under the project, WHO renovated 462 healthcare facilities and provided them with essential equipment and supplies in flood-stricken areas. Out of the, 240 of these facilities have been rehabilitated with financial support of Japan.
These facilities are now under the management of government health authorities, ensuring continued service provision. Additionally, WHO invested in capacity building for local healthcare professionals, focusing on aspects such as disease surveillance and outbreak response, to ensure long-term sustainability.
Dr. Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Pakistan, expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s support, emphasizing its pivotal role in restoring access to essential healthcare for flood-affected communities.
Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro commended WHO Pakistan’s efforts and support for the Pakistani government, underlining Japan’s commitment to leaving no one’s health behind and achieving universal health coverage.
WHO Pakistan reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with the Pakistani government and other stakeholders to further strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
