Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday met with President of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation Dr Anita Zaidi to discuss the Thriving Futures Fund (TFF), and explore opportunities for collaboration in maternal & child health, nutrition, immunisation and women’s economic empowerment
Dr Anita briefed Shah on the TFF, which aims to mobilise $100 million over five years to improve health and livelihood outcomes for women and children in Pakistan
The fund focuses on maternal health, newborn and child health, and women’s livelihoods, with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions, catalytic financing and strengthening existing systems through local partners
The meeting also discussed the major challenges of child stunting and malnutrition, maternal & newborn mortality, and gaps in routine immunisation, with both sides agreeing to work together to identify high-impact areas for collaboration
Shah said Sindh has placed health, nutrition and the welfare of women and children at the centre of its development agenda and has made substantial investments in these areas. “Sindh has worked hard to strengthen its health system and improve access to health care, particularly for mothers and children. We have invested in maternal & child health, nutrition, immunisation and social protection, but the scale of the challenge requires stronger partnerships and innovative solutions.”
He said his government welcomes the TFF’s focus on strategic philanthropy, evidence-based interventions and systems strengthening. “We are interested in partnerships that complement our existing programmes rather than duplicate them.”
Sindh can provide the policy framework, institutional coordination, data and access to existing government programmes, while philanthropic partners can bring catalytic financing, technical expertise and innovative approaches, he added
He highlighted his government’s Mamta Mother & Child Support Programme, the Sindh Integrated Health & Population Programme and the province’s broader reproductive, maternal, newborn & child health and nutrition initiatives as important platforms where additional technical and financial support can generate greater impact
He also referred to the recently signed agreement with the Oxford Policy Management, funded by the Gates Foundation, aimed at improving full immunisation coverage by linking underserved and zero-dose households with existing social protection and livelihood programmes
“Our partnership with the Gates Foundation is already moving forward through practical work on immunisation and social protection. The Thriving Futures Fund can build on this foundation and help us reach the families and communities that need support the most.”
Shah said Sindh is also committed to improving women’s economic participation and financial inclusion. “Women’s empowerment cannot be separated from health, social protection and economic opportunity.”
Sindh has already taken important steps, including putting millions of flood-affected homes in women’s names and providing women with access to bank accounts, he added. “We want to build on these initiatives and create more opportunities for women to participate in the formal economy.”
He said that the province’s investments in health, nutrition, social protection and women’s empowerment provide a strong platform for collaboration with the TFF. “Our objective is simple: healthier mothers, healthier children and greater economic opportunities for women. We want every investment to produce measurable and sustainable results for the people of Sindh.”
Dr Anita appreciated the Sindh government’s commitment to improving maternal & child health, immunisation and women’s empowerment. “The Gates Foundation believes that every woman and every child should have the opportunity to thrive.”
She said Sindh has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving health outcomes, and has built important programmes and systems that can be strengthened further through strategic partnerships.”
The TFF is designed to support locally driven, evidence-based solutions and to work with governments, civil society and other partners to address systemic barriers affecting women and children, she added
“We are not looking to create parallel systems. We want to identify where catalytic investment, technical expertise and strong local partnerships can help existing systems deliver better outcomes.”
She also said the fund would seek opportunities to support interventions that can reduce preventable maternal & newborn deaths, tackle child stunting, strengthen immunisation and expand economic opportunities for women
“Sindh has several promising platforms and programmes. We look forward to exploring how the Thriving Futures Fund can complement the province’s priorities and help take successful interventions to greater scale.”
She also appreciated the government’s willingness to facilitate coordination between the planning & development board and the health, social welfare and women development departments. Both sides agreed to continue consultations at the technical level to identify specific areas, programmes and geographies where the TFF can complement ongoing provincial initiatives
