Karachi, October 1, 2009 - Good health represents a crucial quality of life that Pakistanis must possess in order to build a prosperous nation, U.S., Consul General, Stephen Fakan told assembled health experts meeting to identify and implement best practices in newborn and child health today.

The two-day convention brought together more than 200 health policy and practice experts from all over Pakistan, and was co-chaired by Pakistani Health Ministry Secretary Khushnood Lashari and Population and Welfare Ministry Secretary Nayyar Agha.

Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States is committed to helping improve maternal and child health in Pakistan, the Consul General said. He anticipated lively debate on identifying best health care practices an incorporating them into a national health program that will help the country meet the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals in the health sector.

"I urge you to seize this opportunity to continue to work together to include these best practices and to continue to make improvements in the health programs provided by the government of Pakistan, with the support of USAID," Consul General Fakan said. "This is a critical step in ensuring that international practices and standards are met in the provision of health services for women and children in Pakistan."

At the conference, expert presenters in the areas of maternal health, newborn health, child health, and family planning will identify techniques to improve health statistics in Pakistan, such as high rate of maternal mortality.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Karachi Declaration is likely to be signed that will ensure the inclusion of these best practices in health and population service delivery by including them in the Lady Health Worker program and National Maternal Newborn Child Health program.

Since 2002, the U.S. government has provided support valued at more than $3.4 billion to improve economic growth, education, health and governance and infrastructure support.