United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director John Groarke, Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, Executive Director Health Services Academy Dr. Assad Hafeez, and Secretary Health Department Government of Sindh Dr. Fazlullah Pechuho signed the three new project commitment letters for the U.S. Government to provide budgetary support for Pakistani public health endeavors..

The first commitment letter between USAID and the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination 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 letter of commitment between USAID and the Department of Health, Government of Sindh, aims to improve the use of data to inform public health planning. U.S. 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 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 programs.

Mission Director Groarke highlighted the United States' long-term commitment to strengthen Pakistan's health sector.
 "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," he said.

Secretary Shaikh thanked the United States 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.