The government of Japan has donated USD 41،133 (forty-one thousand, one hundred and thirty-three dollars) to Maldives Autism Association under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) scheme.

The grant contract was signed between the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Keiko Yanai and the Chief Executive Officer of the Maldives Autism Association, Dr. Ismail Shafeeq.

According to the press statement released by the Embassy of Japan in the Maldives on Thursday, “The Project for Provision of Vision and Hearing Screener” will be administered by the Maldives Autism Association.

The project will provide funding for one visual screener and one hearing screener, as well as a training workshop. With this equipment, the association will be better able to identify visual and hearing impairment and implement an early intervention to treat disabilities caused by impairment.

The statement further claims that these screeners allow visual screening to be conducted upward of 6 months old whereas hearing screening can be conducted for newborn babies.

Since its introduction to the Maldives in 1996, the GGP scheme has contributed aid in the areas of education, environment, health, transportation, and energy. As such, a total of 16 projects, valued for over USD 1.6 million, have been implemented since then. The most recent grant contract was signed for the provision of a minibus to Fiyavathi orphanage in Hulhumale' in October of this year.