The Consultative Diagnostic Center of the Râșcani Local Medical Association of Chisinau will be outfitted with free colposcopic equipment and accessories, such as colposcope, gynecological chair and electrochirurgical devices for cervical screening and other gynecological scans. This will be possible thanks to a US$44,663 grant agreement financed by the Government of Japan in the framework of the Kusanone Program, IPN reports.

Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Yamada Yoichiro said that Japan has been Moldova’s partner in the healthcare sector for many years. This partnership will be strengthened together with Moldova’s accession to the EU. Japan supports Moldova in its struggle to ensure stability and prosperity by joining the EU.

The diplomat congratulated the Republic of Moldova on the expected opening of accession negotiations with the EU next spring. Japan is not a member state of the EU, but shares the same social values and European principles.

Râșcani Local Medical Association director Valentina Pîslaru expressed her confidence that this project will improve the quality of life of the women from the district and will enable to identity cervical cancer at the earliest stages possible, which will influence the life expectancy of patients.

Deputy mayor of the municipality of Chisinau Angela Kutasevich said that this step will definitely have an impact on the health of the citizens of the capital city. Râșcani district is one of the largest districts of Chisinau, with a large population, and the request for financing was made in order to satisfy the need to prevent disease in women. Râșcani also plays host to the largest number of refugees and the female refugees and their children will this way also have access to medical services.

The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects - “Kusanone” Program was launched in Moldova in 2008. So far Japan provided US$7.3 million in grant funding for 87 projects in such fields as education, healthcare and public utilities.