Text of the Speech by H .E. Mr. Hiroshi OE At the Ambassador’s Award Presentation Ceremony On 1st November, 2011 at his official residence at 3:00 pm

Mr. Abid Hussain, 
Dr. Aamir Minhas, 
MR. M Ashraf, 
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies & Gentleman,

Good Afternoon & Assalam-o-Alaikum,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all today to the Award Presentation Ceremony, which was organized to honor Otsuka Welfare Clinic for its remarkable contribution to the social welfare in Pakistan. I would like to commend the Doctors, Nursing Staff and all the people concerned, and honor their outstanding contribution to the promotion of friendship and goodwill between the peoples of Japan and Pakistan.

Otsuka Welfare Clinic has played a significant role since June 2003 to improve regional health in Peshawar City and the surrounding areas by providing free medical services to approximately 600,000 Afghan refugees and local residents. The clinic was also engaged in humanitarian medical activities such as sending Doctors and providing mobile health units to those suffering from the earthquake of 2005 and the flood of 2010.

Otsuka Welfare Clinic was also the first to open free clinic for the welfare of the refugees in the region by utilizing private corporation’s financial resources. It has provided medical assistance to the local residents for over a period of eight years, receiving 5 million yen annually from Otsuka group. I highly appreciate the noble cause of Otsuka and their sense of Corporate Social Responsibility.I hope that today’s award will enable people outside Peshawar and its vicinity to give due recognition for the efforts of Otsuka Welfare Clinic. I admire untiring dedication of the Doctors, Nursing Staff and all the people concerned to providing accessible medical services to those in dire need - the poor, the refugees and the victims of disasters.

Medical practice has been regarded as “benevolent art” in Japan. Otsuka Welfare Clinic embodies this spirit. I trust that Otsuka’s benevolence will not only heal patients but also get to their heart.

Thank you very much. Shukria.