The Maternity Centre co-funded by the Government of Japan and the Zalala Foundation was inaugurated at the end of December 2022. Yukiyoshi Arisaka, the Embassy representative travelled to Idugo for a site inspection visit to see the Maternity Centre in action. He was taken on the Fundacao boat to Idugo and had the opportunity to meet the staff and Director of the Centre.

Shortly prior to his arrival, a young girl had given birth to a healthy baby.

Mr Arisaka also spoke to the Maternity director and the Health Ministry official who accompanied the visit about future plans to build a small hospital alongside the Maternity Centre.

Outside the Centre, pregnant mothers and mothers of young babies and children were waiting for pre-and/or post-natal consultations.

He also met the traditional mid-wives who accompany mothers during labour

He saw first hand the urgent need for an additional facility to relieve the mounting pressure on the existing maternity and provide more privacy for women during labour and more space for general medical consultations

The general hospital to be built adjacent to the maternity centre, will provide general consultations and will also have a pharmacy. It will be staffed by an additional two medical staff and providing additional storage space, as well as a general pharmacy. Most importantly, the new facility will provide privacy for women in labour and is likely to result in additional take-up of the maternity services over time.

After returning to Supinho, Mr. Yukiyoshi went to visit the Supinho primary school, funded by the Embassy of Japan in 2014. The School Director lamented the damage to the school caused by Cyclone Freddy in March 2023.

All the classes are now held in the makeshift classrooms which also lost their rooves. These have since been replaced by the Zalala Foundation using resources raised through fundraising efforts last year.

Mr Yukiyoshi was warmly greeted by the young pupils and the School Director.