USAID launches campaign for better maternal, child health in Sindh

Karachi
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday launched a campaign aimed at increasing awareness regarding maternal and child health in Pakistan.
The campaign includes two TV commercials, a communication toolkit and a pictorial booklet that would help people, particularly mothers, better understand matters related to pregnancy and childbirth. Speaking at the launch, US Consul General Brian Heath expressed concern over the high number of women and newborns who die during pregnancy and childbirth each year in Pakistan and said that proper identification of danger signs and presence of skilled birth attendants during delivery could prevent many of these tragic deaths.
“Maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented if women and their families have better knowledge of nutrition, immunisation, and prenatal care. In essence, timely identification of complications can saves numerous lives,” said Heath.
The Centre for Communication Programs (CCP) and Jhpiego — affiliates of Johns Hopkins University in the United States — worked together with the Sindh Health and Population departments as part of USAID’s Maternal Child Health Programme to achieve these aims, he added.
Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar expressed gratitude for the US government and its initiative. “USAID and its efforts have been instrumental in improving maternal and child health services in Sindh,” said the minister.
Also present at the launch ceremony were Saleem Raza, secretary, Sindh Population and Welfare Department; Saeed Mangnejo, secretary, Sindh Health Department; Shuaib Khan, CCP party chief; and Farid Midhet, country director, Jhpiego; as well as representatives from USAID, international organisations and Sindh government officials.