Doctor takes care of infant at the Central Maternity Hospital. (Photo: Vietnam Plus)

The Japanese government will provide 461 million JPY (US$5.1 million) for Vietnam to implement a project to upgrade medical equipment for the Central Maternity Hospital.

Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Mitsuo Sakaba signed a diplomatic note to this effect in Hanoi on February 5. The project is part of the Japanese government’s non-refundable aid program for Vietnam.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Ambassador Mitsuo expressed his hope that the project will help improve the quality of health care services for pregnant women at the hospital.

In recent years, the Japanese government has actively supported Vietnam’s key hospitals, including the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital, the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the Hue Central Hospital and the Da Nang Hospital through technical cooperation, non-refundable aid and loans.