USAID to fund 3 new health projects

Islamabad

The United States government will provide budgetary support for three new public health projects in Pakistan. Commitment letters detailing finer features of the assistance were signed between officials representing the United States Agency for International Development and the Ministry of Health Services here Wednesday.

USAID Mission Director John Groarke, Secretary of the Ministry of Health Services Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, Executive Director of the Health Services Academy Dr. Assad Hafeez, and Secretary Health Department, government of Sindh Dr. Fazlullah Pechuho signed the commitment letters.

The first commitment letter, which was signed between USAID and the Ministry of Health Services, aims to strengthen provincial health and population department planning and reform, increase public health sector financing, invest in childbirth care, and develop the public health workforce, especially skilled midwives and lady health workers.

The second commitment letter, which was signed between USAID and the Department of Health, government of Sindh, aims to improve the use of data to inform public health planning. US financial support will also enable the Department to develop effective province-wide monitoring capabilities and strengthen the monitoring and evaluation section of the Director General Health, Sindh.

The third commitment letter, which was signed between USAID and the Health Services Academy, will support faculty development, targeted research, strengthening an alumni network, increasing international institutional affiliations and creating distance learning programmes.

Highlighted the United States’ commitment to strengthen Pakistan’s health sector, John Groarke said, “The United States government recognizes that investment in the Pakistani people and strengthening the capacity of the government of Pakistan at all levels to deliver essential services are two vital components for saving lives and improving health outcomes.”

Ayub Shaikh thanked the US for initiating new government-to-government programming in the health sector and focusing on strategic investments that will help improve public health policy, services, financing, and monitoring.