The Government of Japan is providing a grant of $145,000 to further expand tuberculosis (TB) detection activities in the slum areas of Dhaka.

A grant agreement was signed on Monday (October 6) at the Japanese Embassy. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and representatives from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) signed the agreement.

This assistance is being provided under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The grant funds will be utilized to implement the project titled "The Project for Procuring a Land Cruiser for Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Dhaka District."

Under the project, icddr,b will procure a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Fujifilm portable digital X-ray unit. Utilizing these equipment, mobile health teams will directly deliver TB screening services to populations with limited access to healthcare.

The project is expected to bring approximately 9,000 people under TB screening annually. This will create opportunities to identify previously undetected TB patients and bring them under appropriate treatment, thereby helping to ensure prompt medical care and prevent the spread of TB infections.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi said that Japan places great importance on human security—protecting human lives and dignity. By bringing essential healthcare to the doorsteps of those facing various barriers to healthcare access, this project turns that commitment into reality.

As an international health research institution based in Bangladesh, icddr,b works to develop and implement effective and scalable solutions to address the health challenges of vulnerable populations. This project will combine icddr,b's public health expertise with Japanese technology to expand access to essential healthcare services.

Ichiro Kashidani, Vice Chairman of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, also attended the grant signing ceremony. Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Fujifilm will assist in project implementation by providing technical training on the operation of the vehicles and equipment.

As part of the Japanese Government's initiative to strengthen grassroots human security, 224 NGO projects have been supported under the GGP since 1989. The total amount of grants provided under GGP for these projects is approximately $17.8 million.