Dr. Shoko Ogawa, Health Attaché of the Embassy of Japan delivered the message of Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe during the 23 rd anniversary ceremony of the Philippine Children's Medical Center's Perinatal-Neonatology-Pediatric Gynecology Center. The ceremony was held at the Audio Visual Room of the PCMC on June 28, 2011. Attendees from the Philippine side included PCMC Executive Director Julius Lecciones , Dr. Corazon Yabes-Almirante, Chief of the Perinatal Center and officers from Quezon City Government and Quezon City Health Commission .
The Center was established in 1988 with a grant assistance of medical equipment worth 343 Million Yen (approximately 37 Million Pesos) from the government of Japan , such as fetal monitors, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, infant incubators, and a medical computer system . Over the years, the equipment supplied as a grant aid has helped the Center to provide extensive quality comprehensive health services for the unborn and newborn.
Japan regards that collaboration and mutual cooperation in health sector development as extremely important from the viewpoint of enhancement of human security. On June 2-3, 2011, Japan co-hosted the MDGs Follow-up Meeting in Tokyo together with the UNDP, the UNICEF, the World Bank and JICA. Once again, Japan has reaffirmed its determination on the faithful implementation to international commitments for the attainment of the MDGs.
In the Philippines, the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births has clearly been reduced. This measure of infant mortality rate showed a significant decline from 80 to 33.5 deaths between 1990 and 2008. Through its steadfast efforts, the Center had played a key role in this successful achievement and will continue to contribute to the Philippines' efforts in attaining the fourth MDG. The Government of Japan is pleased with these accomplishments as it also focuses in mutual cooperation with the Philippines for the development and strengthening of maternal and child health.
Japan, the top donor of Official Development Assistance to the Philippines, has supported a wide range of various projects and activities that protect and promote the health and welfare of women and children in the Philippines for the past four decades. Recent projects were: the “Maternal and Child Health Project in Ifugao and Biliran provinces (2006-2010), “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Services in Eastern Visayas” (201-2014) and the “Comprehensive Etiological and Epidemiological Study on Acute Respiratory Infections in Children – providing evidence for the prevention and control of childhood pneumonia in the Philippines” (2011 -2015).
In his message, Ambassador Urabe cited that “I am happy to note the event a concrete manifestation of more than five decades of continuing friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in health sector development. I wish to convey my congratulations on this momentous occasion.” He hopes that the good friendship will continue as part of the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines to bring about a safer and healthier environment for the future generations.
