The Sindh Cabinet has approved a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Pakistan and the United States Department of State aimed at strengthening the healthcare system in Sindh and improving public health outcomes.
According to official documents issued by the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department (Cabinet Section), the approval was granted through circulation after endorsement by the Chief Minister of Sindh.
The proposed framework will remain effective from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030, and focuses on strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory systems, digital health infrastructure, supply chains, and the frontline healthcare workforce.
Officials said the agreement sets key public health targets for 2030, including reducing tuberculosis-related deaths, improving maternal and child health indicators, eradicating polio, and increasing immunization coverage to 95 percent.
The MoU also envisages the establishment of a Sindh Health Data Centre and improvements in disease detection and rapid response systems.
Under the financial framework, the United States government will provide an estimated $89.375 million over five years, while the Sindh government will contribute additional funding amounting to approximately $26.698 million, subject to the availability of funds and approval from competent forums.
The Health Department informed the cabinet that the Sindh government and the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) are already spending nearly $94.9 million on frontline laboratory workers, healthcare staff, medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory equipment.
The Law Department observed that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, health has become primarily a provincial subject and recommended the explicit inclusion of the Sindh government as an implementing partner in the MoU.
Meanwhile, the Planning and Development Department advised that all initiatives involving financial liabilities and donor-funded interventions must be processed through approved PC-I mechanisms before implementation.
The cabinet subsequently authorised the Sindh Health Department to sign the MoU with the United States government in advance, with the condition that it would become operational only after the approval of PC-Is and the availability of funds.
Officials said the initiative is expected to improve public healthcare delivery, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and modernise Sindh’s healthcare system through international collaboration.