press releases
Rawalpindi District Government And USAID Expand Health Services To Mothers And Newborns
04/18/2006Rawalpindi - Representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Punjab Ministry of Health inaugurated 24- hour-a-day emergency care services and ambulance transport at the Rural Health Center (RHC) Mandra. Improved care and access at the Mandra center will meet the urgent health care needs of pregnant women, mothers and newborns, significantly reducing the risk of death during pregnancy and birth.
The Rural Health Center, Mandra is the first of 31 hospitals and rural health centers in 10 districts to offer expanded emergency care and access under the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN). USAID and the Ministry of Health coordinate PAIMAN. John Snow Incorporated, a public health company, implements the program in association with provincial and district governments and local partners.
Dr. Tahir Ali Javed, Punjab Provincial Minister for Health, Mr. Jonathan Addleton, USAID Mission Director in Pakistan, and district and local officials attended the inauguration ceremony in Mandra. Dr. Javed said, "the Government of Punjab is committed to the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, especially in the rural areas. We appreciate the efforts of PAIMAN to improve emergency medical care and involve the whole community in ensuring the health of mothers and newborns."
Addleton added, "This is a good example of how USAID and Pakistani districts are working together to make a difference. The PAIMAN program does not just improve facilities, it involves the public so that they utilize the facilities extensively and correctly. The health of mothers and babies is a shared responsibility."
In Rawalpindi District alone, 800,000 married couples and their babies will benefit from improved mother and newborn health services. In addition to modernizing health centers, the PAIMAN program also trains health care staff in lifesaving skills and supports community education campaigns that teach people how to recognize danger signs and encourage prompt use of emergency services.
The United States, through USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to improve education, health, governance and economic growth. In addition, the United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government efforts.