The Japanese government on Monday provided a grant worth around Tk3.35 crore to two Bangladeshi organisations for ensuring children from low-income and marginalised groups can get enhanced access to healthcare and education.

Japanese Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori signed the grant contracts under the Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) at the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka with representatives from the two fund recipients: Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and JAAGO Foundation Trust, said a press release.

The state-run Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute received $83,424 for a project on strengthening medical services for haematological diseases among children in Dhaka district. The hospital provides medical and surgical treatment as well as diagnostic services for children.

With the new Japanese funds, the hospital will get three advanced medical equipment: a refrigerated centrifuge machine, a plasma storage freezer, and an automated aphaeresis machine. The equipment will bolster the hospital’s capacity to treat haematological diseases including blood cancer and thalassemia among children, the press statement added.

From the Japanese funding JAAGO Foundation has got $223,268 for constructing a school building with digital learning facilities in Bandarban district. The non-profit is working to provide free quality education to underprivileged children, and to empower young leaders.

With the new funds, JAAGO Foundation will construct a two-storey concrete building for primary and secondary studies, thereby addressing the drawbacks of many temporary wooden schools seen in Bandarban. In the new school, students will be able to complete secondary studies or studies equivalent to the first 12 years of formal education.