As part of the assistance to victims of Chernobyl, the hospital in Sianno will receive a grant of over BYN 170,000 from the Japanese government

February 16, BPN. As part of the Japanese government’s program of assistance to Chernobyl-affected areas known as Grass-Roots Human Security Project, the Sianno Central District Hospital (Viciebsk region) will receive a grant of over BYN 170,000 to purchase an Olympus video endoscopy system, reports the Ministry of Health.

On February 14, a contract signing ceremony was held at the residence of Tokunaga Hiroki, Japanese Ambassador to Belarus.

The acquisition of the Olympus video endoscopy system will ensure the stable operation of the endoscopy unit and will allow a gradual implementation of colorectal cancer screening programs this year, notes the Ministry of Health.

It is emphasized that colorectal cancer screening (endoscopic examination of presumably healthy people) is important to prevent mortality from this type of cancer, which is the second cause of death from cancer in Belarus.

The incidence of colorectal cancer in the country is significantly higher than in the European Union, Siarhiej Krasny, Deputy Director of the N.N. Aliaksandraŭ National Cancer Center, said at a press conference on February 3. He explained that this is due to the fact that people do not undergo colonoscopy, when cancer can be detected in its early stages and manipulations can be carried out to prevent it by removing polyps.

Japan has been providing assistance to Belarus under the Grass-Roots program since 2004. In November 2020, the Salihorsk Central District Hospital received a grant of $72,568 to purchase incubators and the Mahilioŭ Regional Treatment and Diagnostics Center received $35,350 to purchase an ultrasound machine.

A total of 56 projects worth more than $4 million were implemented. It allowed to improve medical equipment in health care institutions that provide assistance to people affected by the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, notes the Embassy of Japan in Minsk.