ISLAMABAD: US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew inaugurated US-funded entomology laboratory that will strengthen Pakistan’s ability to track and respond to vector-borne disease outbreaks.

Federal Secretary at Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Dr. Muhammad Fakhre Alam Irfan and Pakistani National Institute of Health Chief Executive Officer Ghazal Parveen Schofer were also present, said press release here.

“Devastating 2022 floods across Pakistan reminded us all of health risks posed by waterborne diseases,” Schofer said. “United States stands with Pakistan as it continues to recover from floods.” Laboratory, funded by US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is latest milestone in longstanding US-Pakistan health partnership.

For decades, United States and Pakistan have collaborated closely to support the health of Pakistani people. After both 2010 and 2022 floods, US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention experts travelled to Pakistan to consult with Pakistani and UN partners about how to effectively respond to health crises stemming from flooding.

In recent years, United States and Pakistan also have partnered to combat CovidVID-19 endemic, with the United States supplying over 80 million doses of safe and effective vaccines to Pakistan thus far.

US Agency for International Development also has built clinics and hospitals across Pakistan, expanding access to quality health care. For example, Jacobabad Institute of Medical Sciences, built by USAID, remained open during 2022 floods, providing necessary medical care to flood-affected individuals.

United States will continue to build strong health and science partnership with Pakistan, including through US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 18 2023

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