On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, H.E. Mr. Iwai Fumio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mr. Ehab Rasmy Estamlak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Evangelical Association for Sustainable Development, signed a grant contract under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (Kusanone Program).

The Government of Japan is supporting this project to provide hearing screening equipment for the Nile Specialized Clinic located in Beni Ahmed El-Sharqia village and Abu Qurqas, Minya Governorate. The project aims to improve the accuracy of hearing examinations and contribute to the early detection and appropriate treatment of hearing impairments, particularly among children in rural communities and Egyptian villages.

Beni Ahmed village suffers from limited access to specialized medical services, and many individuals with hearing disabilities face challenges in obtaining proper diagnosis and treatment due to economic and geographic barriers. The Nile Specialized Clinic, operated by the Association, provides medical services including internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat). Although the clinic conducts routine screenings for young children to detect potential hearing problems, it lacks the specialized equipment required for accurate diagnosis and follow-up treatment.

Through this project, the clinic will be equipped with essential hearing diagnostic equipment, including an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) system, a Pure Tone Audiometer, and an Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) device, in addition to a soundproof audiometry room and air conditioning units. These improvements will enable the clinic to provide accurate hearing screening and diagnosis for approximately 300 children annually who are suspected of having hearing impairments, thereby supporting timely treatment and rehabilitation.