France funds Regional Health Programme Planning Workshop

(Islamabad, 22 September 2012)

PR-19/12

The French Ambassador to Pakistan, Philippe Thiébaud, closed on the 22nd of September 2012, the Regional Health Programme Planning Workshop held in Islamabad funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organized by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for the cross-border re¬gions of Afghanistan (Badakhstan), Pakistan (Chitral) and Tajikistan (Gorno-Badakhshan). The financial commitment for this project amounts up to 2 millions Euros for a duration of 4 years (2012-2016).

Health is one of France’s five priority sectors for development aid, as well as commitment of the G8 countries and a pillar of the Millenium Development goals. In that regard, France is highly committed to supporting children’s and women’s access to health in Pakistan, the region, and around the world.

This cross-border project will enhance the capacity of health professionals and health facilities to plan and deliver essential maternal, neonatal and child health activities, as well as social mobilization intended to increase knowledge and responsiveness of the communities on nutrition and other essential medical issues.

The overall goal of the project aims at facilitating cross-border collaboration through systematic sharing of resources between the three countries and disseminating evidence of best-practice in the delivery and assessment of essential health interventions.