In a significant step toward advancing public health and nutrition in Pakistan, UNICEF and the Health Services Academy (HSA) have formally joined hands to ensure that children, adolescents, and women across the country can access the diets, care, and essential services they need to survive and thrive.

The collaboration was officially cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Ms. Sharmeela Rasool, Acting UNICEF Representative in Pakistan and Dr. Muhammad Raheem Awan, Head of Department of Public Health Law at HSA.

The agreement underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s policy environment and institutional systems to better respond to the evolving health and nutrition needs of its population. Under this partnership, both organizations will work together to:

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Sharmeela Rasool emphasized UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Pakistan has the opportunity to grow up healthy and reach their full potential. She noted that strategic partnerships with academic and policy institutions like HSA are critical to building resilient systems that can deliver long-term impact.

Dr. Muhammad Raheem Awan highlighted the importance of bridging evidence and practice through collaborative research, advocacy, and capacity building. He reiterated HSA’s role in supporting government institutions, civil society, and development partners to advance the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations.

This partnership represents a holistic approach to addressing Pakistan’s pressing challenges in maternal and child health, nutrition, and development. By combining UNICEF’s global expertise and HSA’s academic and policy strengths, the initiative is poised to create sustainable improvements that will benefit millions of families across the country.