USAID and Sindh government launch family planning skills lab at JPMC to expand access to quality healthcare
Newswire
Islamabad: In a major step toward advancing reproductive healthcare in Sindh, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sindh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Family Planning Skills Lab at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) this week.
The launch ceremony was led by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and USAID Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri, reaffirming the commitment to improving healthcare access and quality across the province.
The Family Planning Skills Lab, housed within the refurbished Reproductive Health Services-A (RHS-A) Master Training Center, will equip healthcare professionals with advanced training to deliver high-quality family planning services. This initiative builds on USAID’s long-standing investments in strengthening healthcare infrastructure at JPMC, solidifying the hospital’s role as a vital medical institution serving Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
“This new Skills Lab will empower healthcare providers to deliver essential care, addressing the family planning needs of people across Sindh,” said Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. She expressed appreciation for USAID’s continued collaboration with the Sindh government, noting the importance of family planning services in improving health outcomes and fostering sustainable development.
USAID Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri emphasized the significance of the partnership in promoting maternal and child health and voluntary, informed family planning. “ Today’s inauguration of the Family Planning Skills Lab at JPMC is a testament to our shared goal of expanding access to high-quality healthcare, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.,” said Somvongsiri. She acknowledged the leadership of the Population Welfare Department and the Government of Sindh in advancing reproductive health services and ensuring sustainable progress.
The Family Planning Skills Lab is the latest milestone in USAID’s multi-year collaboration with JPMC, which has included upgrades to maternity and reproductive healthcare services. This facility will play a key role in addressing the province’s growing healthcare demands by ensuring a skilled workforce capable of providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
This launch underscores the enduring partnership between the United States and Pakistan, working hand-in-hand to expand healthcare access and improve the well-being of families across Sindh. USAID’s healthcare investments at JPMC are part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system and ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive.
Later today, Mission Director Somvongsiri also participated in the launching ceremony of Justuju – a new program under USAID’s Local Works Pakistan initiative. On the occasion, she said that Local Works Pakistan represents USAID’s commitment towards its localization agenda which pursues inclusive, equitable, and locally led actions for sustainable development solutions.
Justuju is a three-year social cohesion initiative launched by the USAID and Chanan Development Association (CDA) to inspire and engage diversified local stakeholders at the community level to pursue inclusive and sustainable measures to enhance social cohesion and foster peaceful coexistence.
