ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Government of Japan has announced grant assistance of 21 million Japanese Yen, approximately US$142,500, to the Dopasi Foundation for strengthening tuberculosis screening services in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal.
The financial assistance is being provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme.
The grant agreement was signed on September 1, 2026, at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad by Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. AKAMATSU Shuichi, and a representative of the Dopasi Foundation.
The project, titled “The Project for the Procurement of Equipment and Vehicle for Tuberculosis Screening in Two Districts of Punjab Province and Islamabad City,” aims to improve access to early diagnosis and basic healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Under the project, the Dopasi Foundation will deploy a fully equipped Mobile Health Unit in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal. The facility will provide digital chest X-rays, tuberculosis screening, family planning counselling and basic health check-ups.
The mobile health service will primarily target marginalized communities, including daily wage earners, women and families facing difficulties in accessing healthcare facilities.
The Dopasi Foundation, a humanitarian organisation with more than 200 staff members, has been working for years to support underprivileged communities and expand healthcare services across Pakistan.
Toyota Tsusho Corporation, in collaboration with Fujifilm, has also contributed to the initiative by supporting the development of a specially equipped Land Cruiser-based mobile health unit.
The vehicle will feature a compact X-ray system and artificial intelligence technology designed to support tuberculosis screening. The companies will also assist in establishing a local maintenance system to ensure the long-term and sustainable operation of the equipment.
In addition, Toyota Tsusho and Fujifilm will provide technical training to ensure the effective use of the advanced screening technology.
The project is expected to provide quality medical screening services to around 20,000 people annually.
Officials said the initiative would help reduce the impact of communicable diseases, improve healthcare access for vulnerable communities and protect low-income families from catastrophic medical expenses through early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador AKAMATSU said that protecting every individual life was a fundamental principle of Japan’s development cooperation and human security approach.
He stressed that access to early diagnosis and essential healthcare services could save lives and help vulnerable families overcome health-related hardships.
The Japanese government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting capable local non-governmental organisations through grant assistance aimed at promoting human security and improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
Japan expressed hope that the project would not only strengthen tuberculosis screening and healthcare services but also further deepen the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Japan.
