Press Release

New Delhi, 13th December 2021: The Record of Discussions (RoD) was signed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Tamil Nadu State Government, for the Project for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Tamil Nadu, which is a Technical Cooperation, aimed at Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the state of Tamil Nadu. The project is expected to start from the fourth quarter of FY2021. It would focus on strengthening the managerial and technical capabilities of health personnel with respect to NCD prevention and control.

The death rate related to NCDs accounts for 63% of all deaths and the probability of death from NCDs between the ages of 30 to 70 is 23% according to UNICEF. On the other hand, during the pandemic, several diseases were relatively overlooked, as the hospitals prioritized COVID-19 patients. This project will align itself with the "Tamil Nadu Urban Health Care Project" (ODA Loan Project signed in March 2016) and will implement several activities to strengthen NCD management in Tamil Nadu. Besides assessment of current methodologies for managing non-communicable diseases through surveys and studies, trainings will also be organized and conducted for technique, skill development enhancement, and strengthening capacities of health personnel working on non-communicable diseases. JICA experts will be jointly working with the state government to provide technical guidance, advice, and recommendations during the course of the project.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India, said, "Japan has contributed in several ways to India's health sector besides series of COVID-19 crisis response emergency support since last year. The project for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases is another step in the same direction. The likelihood of contracting non-communicable diseases has increased manifold in the last few years, especially with the urbanization of lifestyles of people that are not necessarily healthy. It is important to focus on these diseases because overlooking the same could have grave consequences. We aim to continue strengthening India's health sector in as many ways as possible."

In Tamil Nadu, JICA has been supporting "Tamil Nadu Urban Health Care Project" to provide a 25,537 million Japanese Yen (approx. INR 1,548 crore) ODA loan to improve the quality of urban healthcare services by developing the health facilities. JICA is also supporting the Tamil Nadu State Government for "The project for Covid-19 prevention capacity improvement", focusing on technical cooperation around RT-PCR test provision in the state.

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.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure
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For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Aishwarya Mishra
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

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