Japan to pay for clinic for Burmese

PHUKET TOWN: Aeko Nakamura, first secretary to the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, met with Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi yesterday to discuss Japanese government funding for a health clinic for Burmese immigrants. Details of the meeting were not released, but it is understood the governor used the meeting to lobby for further financial support to cover the running costs of the center. Speaking afterwards, Mr Nakamura said, “We have yet to decide whether to support the project further. I’ll have to try to persuade the ambassador.” He also explained that the Japanese government has pledged 4.5 million baht for the clinic, which is slated to be built next to the Tambon Rassada Health Center. Of this sum, 3 million baht will be used for construction, and 1.5 million to equip the center. A main aim of the project will be to curtail the spread of diseases such as malaria and typhoid through the local Burmese community. Also at the meeting was Chusak Wuthiwaropas, executive director of the World Vision Foundation (WVF) of Thailand, which will run the clinic. “We will have a team of Burmese doctors, as well as Burmese-speaking volunteers to educate people about sanitation and pollution, particularly around their homes,” K. Chusak said.