New out-patient department (OPD) in the Institute of Child Health and Hospital in Chennai is to be constructed. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide Rs 88.20 crore financial assistance for construction.
An agreement to this effect was signed between the agency and the Government of India today in Delhi for the project that envisages quality improvement of health care in South India, especially for children in low-income groups.
The Institute of Child Health and Hospital (ICH), an affiliate of the Madras Medical College, serves as the top medical research and education centre.
`JICA`s assistance would help India’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in reducing infant mortality rate and the under-five mortality rate which needs significant improvement", Shinya Ejima, Chief Representative of JICA said in a statement.