Sindh Integrated Health and Population Program Holds Coordination Meeting with Development Partners
KARACHI: May 20, 2024The Sindh Human Capital Investment: 1000 Days Integrated Health and Population Program, a flagship initiative of the Health Department, Government of Sindh, organized a coordination meeting with development partners active in Sindh. The primary aim of the meeting was to foster collaboration and seek guidance from key stakeholders in the province's healthcare sector. Attendees included officials from the World Bank, the Department of Health, and representatives from international and national non-governmental organizations.
Mr. Raheem Bakhsh Maitlo, Program Director, emphasized the significance of the program, detailing its scope and the positive impact it has on the social and economic conditions of the province.
While speaking to the participants Mr. Maitlo said, “Our program focuses on the health, well-being, and betterment of mothers and children. The core idea is to provide comprehensive care to mothers and their children from conception until the child reaches the age of two. This approach ensures that both mother and child, along with other family members, become productive citizens who contribute to strengthening the national economy.”
Dr. Waqar Memon, Director General Health Services Sindh, delivered the opening remarks, stating, "We are here for a very important event. This program was envisioned by the Respected Minister for Health and Population Sindh to improve RMNCH indicators in the province and we believe that this program has the potential to change the future of the public healthcare system in Sindh. At this forum, I assure you of our continuous support for this great initiative"
Mr. Irshad Sodhar, EOC Coordinator, also spoke at the event, affirming the Emergency Operation Center's support and expressing hope that SIHPP will have a significant impac.
Dr. Jahanzaib Sohail, Task Team Leader from the World Bank, commended the cooperation with Sindh, saying, "We are committed to working towards improved human capital and universal health coverage. We believe the health system can be revamped through supply-side interventions, demand generation through Social and Behavior Change Communication, and health system strengthening. In Sindh, we are focusing on primary healthcare. We believe in a strong partnership and collaborative approach and look forward to development partners supporting this program to minimize duplication and maximize cooperation"
Dr. Shafiq Ahmed, Technical Advisor of the Program, provided a detailed presentation on the program.
In the later part of the program, all developing partners presented a brief overview of their organization’s work and highlighted the prospective areas of cooperation.
The meeting was attended by the officials of DG Health Services, Sindh; Director General Population Welfare Department; PPHI; Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services; Sub Office Sindh, WHO; UNICEF; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Pathfinder; JSI; Green Star Social Marketing; Provincial Coordinator MERF; Acasus; Greenstar Social Marketing; AKU; UNWFP; EOC; and HANDS.