USAID’s flagship private sector health initiative, Frontier Health Markets (FHM) Engage, has officially launched the Youth Council for Sustainable Action in Sindh.
This new council is designed to elevate youth voices and advocate for sustainable health practices, particularly focusing on family planning services throughout Pakistan. FHM Engage is a global initiative that offers technical support to enhance local health markets by addressing supply-side challenges and aligning with consumer needs, thus improving access to high-quality family planning and other health services within diverse health systems.
Pathfinder International, a key consortium partner of FHM Engage renowned for its global community health programs, plays a crucial role in ensuring effective youth involvement in healthcare decision-making.
Madiha Latif, Country Director of Pathfinder International in Pakistan, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “As the lead implementer of FHM Engage in Pakistan, Pathfinder International is honored to support the launch of this initiative, which empowers young people to influence health interventions that affect their well-being.”
The Youth Council for Sustainable Action represents a strategic collaboration between FHM Engage and Pathfinder International. It aims to develop a robust youth council, create a distinctive brand, and establish a digital platform to engage young people in shaping discussions around reproductive health.
The council is composed of representatives from six diverse organizations across Sindh: Baithak, Center for Sustainable Development, Collective Pakistan, Indus Youth Welfare Organization, Jagruti, and School of Leadership. Following recent elections, the Indus Youth Welfare Organization has been appointed as the President, and the Center for Sustainable Development as the General Secretary of the Council. In addition, oladoc has launched ‘Bolo Health,’ a digital platform designed to address sexual and reproductive health needs of the youth.
The platform, named after the Urdu word for ‘speak,’ encourages young people to voice their health needs and aims to enhance awareness and dialogue around family planning issues in Pakistan. Bolo Health provides confidential access to certified doctor consultations, health products, and reliable health information, thereby supporting youth in making informed health decisions. The School of Leadership hosted the inaugural session of the Youth Council for Sustainable Action from June 13 to 14, 2024. This session included capacity-building training for young representatives from various youth-led organizations. “We are excited to unveil the Youth Council for Sustainable Action and Bolo Health,” said Waqar Ali, CEO of the School of Leadership. “This initiative highlights our commitment to empowering youth to take control of their health and advocate for positive change.”
The collaborative efforts of the Youth Council for Sustainable Action and the Bolo Health platform are expected to drive significant impact by integrating youth perspectives into healthcare advocacy in Pakistan. As Bolo Health progresses, it aims to inspire young Pakistanis to adopt proactive health practices and contribute to a healthier future for the country.
