Press Release

New Delhi, March 31st, 2022: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of India to provide Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan amounting to JPY 45,605 million (approximately INR 2942 crores) for the Assam Health System Strengthening Project.

The objective of the project is to improve the quality of medical services for the residents of the target areas in the state of Assam. This project takes a comprehensive approach of promoting the development of public medical institutions, mainly secondary and tertiary medical facilities that will serve as core medical centers, the capacity development of medical personnel, and improvement of the management of medical services, thereby contributing to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state. Through the project, comprehensive improvement in the quality of medical services for local residents in Assam will be achieved.

The loan agreement was signed between Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affair, Ministry of Finance and Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "I am delighted to support a comprehensive health system improvement project in the North Eastern Region of India. Healthcare is an important parameter of a nation's success especially in the recovery phase from the tragic damage caused by the pandemic. Focusing on the improvement of the secondary and tertiary health care facilities is vital for having a deeper impact on the well-being of the citizenry. I am proud to bring to your notice that this project is also in line with JICA's Global Health Initiative, which supports the speech of Japan's former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the UN General Assembly in September 2020."

Assam is the largest state in north-eastern India in terms of area (78,438 km²) and population (about 31.2 million in 2011). The state's healthcare system ranked the lowest among all Indian states in terms of achievement of Goal 3 (health and well-being for all) of the SDGs (NITI Aayog, 2020) is one of the most vulnerable ones in the country. This project will be JICA's first project to support health sector in the Northeast area.

Exchange Rate: INR 1/-=JPY 1.55/-

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
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

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) 9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com