Islamabad: The British High Commission’s Development Director, Ms. Jo Moir, met with Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, to advance the UK-Pakistan partnership and ongoing support in strengthening healthcare in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, and Dr. Shabana Saleem, Director General (Health and Population), among others.

According to Press Information Department, Dr. Bharath expressed his appreciation to the UK government for its support through the UK-PAK Health Partnership, highlighting the role of technical assistance in advancing Pakistan’s health and population goals. He noted the positive impact of the partnership on health system resilience and service delivery. Ms. Jo Moir reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to support Pakistan healthcare systems, mentioning initiatives such as the Evidence for Health (E4H) programme, GAVI, GFATM, and support for polio eradication as key components of this collaboration.

A high-level UK delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan to review the UK-Pakistan Health Partnership Agreement signed in 2023. This review will focus on areas like health systems strengthening and health security. Addressing population growth and its impact on sustainable development remains a top priority, with the President’s Task Force on Population set to meet in November 2024. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been granted membership in the task force, underscoring the UK’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in achieving its population and health objectives.