Karachi, October 06, 2021 (PPI-OT):The U.S. Government is providing scholarships for 33 Balochistan government health officials to complete a two-year Master of Science in Public Health degree at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi. U.S. Consul General Mark Stroh participated in a ceremony today welcoming the students, who are mid-level health managers from the Balochistan Health Department. After completing the USAID-funded program, these trained managers will help the Balochistan government better respond to COVID-19 and other public health challenges.
“The pandemic has shown us the importance of preparing mid-level managers at the provincial- and district-levels to respond to public health challenges,” Consul General Stroh said. “The United States is proud to partner with the Balochistan Health Department to strengthen the capacity of public health professionals and save Pakistani lives.”
These scholarships are part of continuing efforts by the U.S. Government to support public health in Balochistan and across Pakistan. In addition to the scholarships, USAID is also helping Balochistan officials fight infectious diseases through the creation of a provincial disease surveillance unit, a command and control center within the Balochistan Health Secretariat, and the establishment of 33 district disease surveillance units across Balochistan.
USAID has also trained health personnel in rapid response, infection prevention and control, home-based care, and ICU management of critically ill COVD-19 cases. Mr. Aziz Ahmed Jamali, Secretary, Primary and Secondary Health, Government of Balochistan thanked USAID for supporting healthcare managers across Balochistan, who often have limited opportunities for capacity development. Dr. Shahid Rasul, Vice Chancellor JSMU and Executive Director JPMC and Dr. Lubna Baig, Dean APPNA-IPH, Karachi also participated in the event.
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