Press Release

New Delhi, February 2, 2021: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reiterated its commitment for supporting the implementation of the Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ASBY) which is announced in the union budget speech by Hon'ble finance minister on February 1. The PM-ASBY is governed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and will implement measures to 1) Strengthen Public Healthcare System, 2) Expand and strengthen Surveillance Capacities, 3) Research and 4) National Digital Health Mission.

JICA and the Government of India signed an ODA loan pact, the "COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan" worth 50 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 3,500 crore) on August 31. The Agency is also planning provision of technical assistance for the implementation of the program, thereby sharing Japanese knowledge and experience for supporting activities under PM-ASBY.

JICA also signed an ODA loan, "The COVID-19 Crisis Response Support Loan for Social Protection" worth 30 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 2,000 crore) to contain COVID-19 and mitigate adverse socioeconomic impacts in India through budget support to Government of India implementing emergency response programmes and policy reforms for social protection in align with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "As the prime minister of Japan Mr. Suga mentioned in the United Nations General Assembly, the spread of the coronavirus is a human security crisis and it is essential to set the goal of "leaving no one's health behind" for achieving universal health coverage. With this in mind, Japan is committed to expanding its efforts in developing countries to build hospitals as well as to assist strengthening health and medical systems through providing equipment and supporting human resource development. Here in India, JICA wholeheartedly extends support to the Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ASBY) and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKY), which aim to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Simultaneously, we have carried out various safeguard countermeasures at on-going JICA-funded projects sites. Further, JICA has started "Achhi Aadat" campaign to reinforce daily hygiene practices in partner with the Japanese companies based in India and is reaching out to the vulnerable in close collaboration with NGOs, particularly, in disaster management, prevention of child labor and tele-consultation."

JICA has made significant efforts to facilitate the implementation of appropriate safeguards to control the situation and maintain effective economic, social and health safety systems at construction sites in the on-going projects through active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.

In India, JICA has cumulatively extended ODA loans of 92.5 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 6,166 crore) for the healthcare sector since 1995-96. JICA has health projects in Tamil Nadu and Odisha among other states in India.

JICA aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation.

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Vini Sharma
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Sharmavini.id@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
+91 95990 67185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com