HAVELIAN, District Abbottabad – – A new ophthalmology facility, established with Japanese grant assistance, was inaugurated here today, marking a significant advancement in accessible healthcare for the region. His Excellency Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, officially opened the center.
The project, constructed and managed by the Lok Sudhar Association, was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) program. A grant of $51,407, allocated in 2024, supported both the construction of the facility and the procurement of advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, enabling critical services like cataract surgery for the first time in the area.
funded by a Japanese grant. The center delivers essential eye treatments and sight-restoring
cataract surgeries to the local community.
This initiative directly addresses the pressing medical needs of over 350,000 residents in Tehsil Havelian and adjoining areas. In its first year of operation alone, the facility has already provided treatment to nearly 30,000 patients and performed 1,260 sight-restoring cataract surgeries. By offering services locally, the center alleviates the significant financial and physical burdens previously faced by elderly and vulnerable patients who had to travel for specialized care.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated the Lok Sudhar Association on the project’s successful completion. “The provision of affordable healthcare is a top priority in Japan’s assistance policy toward Pakistan,” the Ambassador stated. He emphasized that access to quality treatment is a fundamental prerequisite for social prosperity and reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for improving living standards in Pakistan. Ambassador Akamatsu expressed his sincere hope that this project would further strengthen the enduring friendship between the people of Japan and Pakistan.
The Lok Sudhar Association, with over 25 years of experience in community development, implemented the project. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the Embassy of Japan, board members of the NGO, and local community representatives.
About GGP: Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) supports community-based projects that address basic human needs, with a focus on health, education, and social welfare.
BY: The Times Union
