Skopje, 5 August 2025 (MIA) - The Japanese Embassy has donated a portable X-ray machine to the University Clinic for Children’s Diseases in Skopje. Ambassador of Japan Setsuko Kawahara said Tuesday the machine is a Shimatsu model provided as part of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), which focuses on small grants for basic human needs and human security. 

"Our government launched the GGP programme in 1996, and it has become one of the important pillars of bilateral cooperation between Japan and North Macedonia. Since 1996, through the GGP, Japan has implemented more than 70 projects in the health sector of this country, worth nearly EUR 4 million. We are glad that our country has contributed to the improvement of medical services and health care in North Macedonia," the Ambassador pointed out. 

She added that this was the 15th donation to Skopje's Mother Teresa complex of clinics as part of this programme. She noted that since the University Clinic is the centre of the medical service in the country, also receiving patients from other cities, she believes that the assistance is of benefit not only to the citizens of Skopje, but also the entire population. 

"The Japanese people are proud to have provided this X-ray machine from a reputable Japanese company, which contributes to more accurate and timely examination of sick babies and children. According to the University Clinic for Children’s Diseases, the donated equipment has already been used frequently since February of this year for the necessary diagnostic procedures. I am very pleased to see that our assistance has had a significant impact on improving medical services. I sincerely hope that many lives will be saved, and sick children will be able to recover quickly through accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment," said the Ambassador.  

Head of the Children's Clinic, Rexhep Memedi, expressed gratitude for the donation. He said that this significant and valuable donation of a functional portable X-ray machine for neonatal and paediatric patients, shows great humanity towards children, the clinic's patients, as well as towards the citizens of the country.

"This X-ray machine, worth EUR 60,540, is of great benefit because it enables fast and accurate diagnosis and higher quality medical services for the youngest patients, while mobile digital imaging technology helps eliminate repeated X-ray examinations and unnecessary transportation or changes in the patient's body position," said Memedi. 

He added that this significantly helps newborns, especially premature ones, as their special medical conditions often mean that they cannot be removed from their incubators and transported to a static X-ray machine.

Memedi noted that after checks and permits were obtained from the relevant institutions, the machine has been put into use in February 2025 and thus far, around 200 children have been screened with the new equipment.

He also expressed gratitude for the Health Ministry's support, voicing hope the excellent cooperation with the Embassy of Japan would continue in the future, in order to provide higher quality medical care for neonatal and paediatric patients.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative and Head of the Office in Skopje, Akeem Ali, also attended Tuesday's meeting. 

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