Signing Ceremony for “the Project for Rehabilitation of Maternity Ward in Prince Regent Charles Hospital” under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP/KUSANONE)

On October 26, Mr. IKUTA, head of the Economic Cooperation Unit and Dr. NIMPAYE Oscar, Health Director of Prince Regent Charles Hospital (HPRC), signed a Grant Contract amounting up to 64,576 USD under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP/KUSANONE).

Located in the center of Bujumbura, Prince Regent Charles Hospital is a public general hospital with approximately 600 inpatient beds. Patients from all over the country are referred to the hospital after being unable to receive treatment in other medical centers. The maternity department receives approximately 50 pregnant women per day and performs about 13 deliveries per day.
 
However, the maternity ward for women who have just given birth has never been renovated since the hospital opened in 1949, so it leaks badly and 7 of the 12 rooms are unusable due to their damaged condition. In addition, there is no waiting room for the maternity department, so pregnant and nursing mothers are forced to sit in the outdoor corridor in the intense heat and heavy rain to wait for medical treatments.
 
By renovating the maternity ward and constructing two new waiting rooms through this project, approximately 5,000 pregnant and nursing mothers per year will be able to receive higher quality maternal and child health services in a better environment.

Mr. IKUTA mentioned in his remarks: “It is a great privilege to sign a grant contract with Prince Regent Charles Hospital. Maternal and child health service is the fundamental service that should be universally available. At the beginning of a human life, we wish a high-quality service is provided to everybody. From this perspective, we are committed to collaborating closely with members of Prince Regent Charles Hospital toward the completion of this project.” Dr. NIMPAYE stated “The project will help improve the quality of maternal and child health services at the HPRC and it is a great relief for the surrounding population”, expressing his gratitude to the government of Japan.