VITEBSK, 26 December (BelTA) – Vitebsk Endocrinology Center has received medical equipment as part of the grant of the Japanese government. The solemn ceremony of handing over the equipment was held on 26 December. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor of Vitebsk Oblast Vladimir Terentiev and Charge d'Affaires of Japan to Belarus Shigehiro Mimori, BelTA has learnt. The medical facility received a next-generation compact color ultrasound system that allows detecting any malformation of the thyroid gland, examining blood circulation in the gland and diagnosing diseases, including cancer, at an early stage. This is the first device of this kind in Vitebsk Oblast. The Japan-made system Prosound Alpha 6 costs $85,500. Vladimir Terentiev expressed sincere gratitude to the Japanese government and the people of Japan for the equipment and reminded that after the Chernobyl nuclear accident Japan was one of the first to offer assistance to Belarus. Shigehiro Mimori informed that the Japanese Embassy in Belarus implements the Grassroots Grant Program. Since the start of the program in 2004, over $2 million worth of grants have been allocated by Japan to provide equipment to healthcare institutions located in the Chernobyl-affected areas and specialized medical facilities. A total of 25 contracts to supply medical equipment were signed; 19 of them have already been implemented, another seven are underway. The Charge d'Affaires of Japan expressed appreciation of Belarusian people and the government of Belarus for providing assistance to Japan after the deadly earthquake of 2011 and the Fukushima-1 accident. According to Vitebsk Endocrinology Center, over 40,000 patients with thyroid issues undergo regular medical check-ups in the center. Every year thyroid cancer is diagnosed in 130 residents of the region.

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