Jointly chairing a meeting on Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to improve the maternal and child health status in Pakistan, they said the government was making all out efforts to ensure provision of basic health facilities at grassroots level.
Among others, the meeting was attended by representatives from various research and donor organizations including World Bank, World Food Programme, UNICEF, USAID, GIZ, World Health Organization, Population Councils, National EPI Program, Nutritional Program, Prime Minister National Health Insurance Programme and other departments.
The Secretary Health and Director General Health were also present in the meeting.
Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal Tarrar highlighted importance of improving health status in Pakistan especially maternal and child health.
She urged all partners to focus on improving access and availability of nutritional supplements and other health care services especially to cater to the needs of women in reproductive age and children in growing age.
The Minister said called upon to focus on the people living below poverty line and facing difficulties in reaching even at district level health facilities for treatment.
She announced to constitute a committee for devising a mechanism to ensure maximum involvement and participation of provinces and other stakeholders in improving mother and child health.
BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon said improved health- care of mother and child was imperative for building a strong and healthy nation.
She said it was the time to take drastic action for saving future of Pakistan by improving the health sector so that the country could be made a healthy and economically vibrant state.
Marvi also assured to extend all possible assistance from BISP to identify and support the poor families for this health care initiative.