Japan gives INR 40 Lakhs grant to an eye hospital in Vrindavan, UP

New Delhi, India – The Japan government has given a grant amount of about INR 40 Lakhs (JY 8.1 million) to an ophthalmic hospital NIRPHAD in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The grant money would be utilised for buying medical equipment to cut the prolonged waiting time and offer quality treatment or diagnosis to the patients in the region.

The Naujhil Integrated Rural Project for Health and Development NIRPHAD has been providing minimal to free-cost medical consultations, diagnosis services, and surgeries to underprivileged patients since 1978.

A Grant Contract (G/C) for Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) to this effect was signed between Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India, and Anil Kumar Bhatnagar, Director, Naujhil Integrated Rural Project for Health and Development (NIRPHAD) on 21 March 2025 at the Japan embassy in New Delhi.

The Government of Japan offers a financial assistance scheme called the “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)” for development projects designed to meet the diverse basic human needs of people in developing countries. Since 1989, the scheme has supported relatively small-scale projects implemented by non-profit organizations such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and educational and medical institutions, through Japanese diplomatic missions in developing countries.

In India, an estimated 4.95 million people are visually impaired, and approximately 35 million have visual disorders, primarily due to cataracts and other eye diseases. The recipient organization operates an ophthalmic hospital in Vrindavan, providing minimal to free-cost medical consultations, diagnosis, and surgeries to underprivileged patients. However, the shortage of medical equipment has resulted in unfavourable situations, such as prolonged waiting times and patients having to seek treatment or diagnosis at distant hospitals, which have caused worsening patients’ conditions in some cases.

The Government of Japan hopes this new grant project through the GGP scheme will help to reinforce the quality of life and human security of the people in India and further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Japan and India.

NIRPHAD was established in 1978, as a project for the Agra Conference of the Methodist Church in India. NIRPHAD provides community-based health services (primary, secondary, and tertiary). The coverage includes Primary Health Care to approximately 118 villages in Mathura District. Primary and secondary Eye Care Services to the whole district and tertiary and specialty services to the 118 villages of Mathura District (through SJSH). NIRPHAD programs are need-based, flexible, and involve the full participation of the community. NIRPHAD works to usher in a silent revolution by empowering the rural poor to find solutions to their problems and grow to their full potential so that their quality of life may improve.