We are happy to announce the launch of the Youth Council for Action and the new Bolo Health digital platform for the youth in Pakistan!

A formal launch event took place at the Marriott Hotel in Karachi, Pakistan on August 5, 2024. Gracing the occasion was the Honorable Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare, Mr. Conrad Tribble, the U.S. Consul General in Karachi, and Ms. Nida Khuhro, Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Population Welfare.

The event marked the inauguration of the Youth Council, an initiative that will incorporate youth perspectives into healthcare advocacy and facilitate the development of local health solutions. The event also celebrated the launch of a new digital platform created by FHM Engage through Pathfinder International and Oladoc called "Bolo Health" which will deliver health services tailored for youth. Bolo Health will soon offer certified doctor consultations, products, and health information, all conveniently and privately accessible online. This initiative aims to empower young individuals by providing them with reliable, authentic resources and support to make informed decisions about their health.

FHM Engage along with its partners remains steadfast in its commitment to employing intersectional approaches to health and well-being globally. As one of the core consortium partners of FHM Engage, Pathfinder International, renowned for its community-led health programs, brings expertise to ensure meaningful youth engagement in healthcare decision-making. With the launch of the Youth Council for Sustainable Action and Bolo Health, FHM Engage aims to inspire a generation of young Pakistanis to embrace proactive health practices and contribute to a healthier future for Pakistan.

Photos (Credit: FHM Engage): 

Left image: Abid Zuberi, Cofounder Oladoc, presenting the BOLO Health digital health platform, with the Honorable Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho (Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare), Mr. Conrad Tribble (U.S. Consul General in Karachi), Ms. Nida Khuhro (Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Population Welfare), and Ms. Madiha Latif (Country Director, Pathfinder International), seated on stage at the launch event.

Center: Ali Mangan, President of the Youth Council for Sustainable Action, speaking to the Honourable Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare and Mr. Conrad Tribble, the U.S. Consul General in Karachi, at the event held on Aug 5, 2024.

Right image (and banner image above): Honorable Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare, and Mr. Conrad Tribble, the U.S. Consul General in Karachi, unveil the logo for BOLO Health, the digital health platform for the youth.

FHM Engage uses a market development approach (MDA) to understand a country’s health market system. The MDA allows us to diagnose root causes of market under-performance, such as restricted supply of and consumer demand for health products and services. FHM Engage supports local public and private market actors to design locally informed strategies and solutions that improve market systems, including core functions of supply and demand and supporting functions that strengthen the enabling environment for market growth.

As a critical foundational step to the MDA, FHM Engage compiled detailed market descriptions in India, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan. Review them here:

INDIA

FHM Engage India Market Description 2023

FHM Engage India Market Description 2023 (Abridged)

Health Market Description Brief on Family Planning in India

KENYA

FHM Engage Kenya Market Description 2023

LIBERIA

FHM Engage Liberia Market Description 2023

FHM Engage Liberia Market Description 2023 (Abridged)

MADAGASCAR

In Madagascar, we completed three market descriptions: Family Planning; Maternal & Child Health; Nutrition

NEPAL

FHM Engage Nepal Market Descriptions 2023 

NIGERIA

In Nigeria, we compiled six market descriptions in the two states of Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Ebonyi Child Health; Ebonyi Family Planning; Ebonyi Maternal Newborn Health; FCT Child Health; FCT Family Planning; FCT Maternal Newborn Health

PAKISTAN

FHM Engage Pakistan Market Description 2023

Related Resources:

‘How-to’ Guidance: Executing the Diagnosis Phase of a Market Development Approach

MDA Overview Briefs:

What is the Market Development Approach (MDA) Process for Family Planning, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health? Brief #1 of 4 in a series on the MDA

What is the Market System Framework and Its Role in Developing Family Planning, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Markets? Brief #2 of 4 in a series on the MDA

What are Key Terms Used in a Market Development Approach for Health? Brief #3 of 4 in a series on the MDA

The Meaning and Importance of Stewardship in Developing Family Planning, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Markets. Brief #4 of 4 in a series on the MDA

MDA Course Curriculum:

Market Development Approach (MDA) 2023 course curriculum

Course brief #1: What is the market development approach process for family planning, and maternal, newborn, and child health?

Course brief #2: What is the market system framework and its role in developing family planning, and maternal, newborn, and child health markets

Course brief #3 What are key terms used in a market development approach for health?

Course brief #4: The meaning and importance of stewardship in developing family planning, and maternal, newborn, and child health markets

On March 28, 2024, FHM Engage hosted a webinar to answer: What is stewardship? Who “does” stewardship? Why is stewardship important in market development? How do we improve stewardship to strengthen health markets?

The technical showcase explored the concept of stewardship in the context of health market development. Speakers from Liberia, Madagascar, and Pakistan shared how FHM Engage used a market description approach (MDA) in these countries to landscape a full range of market actors and identify key stakeholders to play a stewardship role. Presenters explained how FHM Engage is strengthening the capacity of these market actors in different ways, through a variety of activities, to steward the health markets effectively in each country and improve market performance to ensure the delivery of safe, affordable, appropriate health products and services.

Moderator/Presenters:

• Dana Tilson, Project Director, Moderator
• Abena Amoakuh, USAID Opening Remarks
• Monte Achenbach, Technical Director
• Sophie Parwon, Chief of Party, Liberia
• Davy Robson, Product Specialist, Madagascar
• Laila Gardezi, Senior Technical Advisor, Pakistan

Related Resources:

Webinar slides

Webinar recording

FHM Engage Senior Technical Advisor Dr. Laila Gardezi presented at the 7th Global Public Health Conference: (GLOBEHEAL 2024) which took place in Bangkok, Thailand from February 21 to 22, 2024. Her session was entitled: "Using A Market Development Approach for Family Planning: Applications in India and Pakistan."

With this year’s “Empowering Communities: Uniting for Global Health Equity”, GLOBEHEAL 2024 aimed to enable global public health professionals to collaborate, innovate, and assist one another in shaping the future of global public health by serving as a focal platform for the dissemination of the most recent research findings, knowledge, opinions, suggestions, and visions via interactive platforms.

Revisit the FHM Engage presentations:

Using a Market Development Approach for Family Planning in India: FHM Engage Presentation at Global Health 2024 Conference in Bangkok, Thailand

Using a Market Development Approach for Family Planning in Pakistan: FHM Engage Presentation at Global Health 2024 Conference in Bangkok, Thailand

Learn more about FHM Engage work in India and Pakistan:

FHM Engage India Fact Sheet

FHM Engage India Market Description 2023

FHM Engage Pakistan Sindh Market Description 2023

Introduction – The Harsh Realities

In Pakistan, the family planning landscape faces formidable challenges marked by a stark lack of awareness and access to modern contraception. Socio-cultural barriers, economic constraints, and limited education compound these issues, leaving a substantial gap in knowledge.

FHM Engage steps into this critical space as a catalyst for change. By mobilizing and empowering youth delegates from diverse backgrounds, the project actively addresses the informational deficit.

These delegates play a pivotal role in data collection, awareness campaigns, and advocacy efforts, thereby working towards a paradigm shift in family planning mindsets.

FHM Engage's commitment extends beyond statistics; it seeks to instill a growth mindset and reshape community perspectives on family planning in Pakistan. As the project progresses, it stands resilient amid challenging realities, offering a hopeful path toward a future where family planning is not just understood but embraced for the betterment of communities.

Project Implementation – Reaching Out to The Masses

In a collaborative effort, the School of Leadership (SoL – learn more below) joined forces with FHM Engage, through Pathfinder International, to spearhead a transformative project aimed at engaging and collecting valuable insights from diverse communities. At the heart of this initiative was the promotion of a digital tool designed to capture data on sexual orientation, awareness of contraceptives, beliefs about family planning, and societal opinions on the same.

The driving force behind this endeavor was a group of 20 dynamic youth delegates drawn from various institutions. Coming together during the 22nd Young Leaders' Conference (YLC)—read more on the YLC below—these delegates collectively strategized and developed an impactful plan. Acknowledging diverse needs and promoting equal access to FP, the delegates shifted their focus to local areas, where they tirelessly promoted the digital tool, post conference. Through meaningful interactions with students, teachers, professionals, family members, and individuals from diverse age and socioeconomic backgrounds, the delegates successfully reached out to the masses.

Over the course of 40 days, their efforts yielded substantial results, with over 1200 responses collected. This initiative not only highlights the power of collaboration but also underscores the importance of grassroots efforts, led by individuals of all genders, in gathering meaningful gender-disaggregated data, and fostering informed discussions on family planning. As the project moves forward, the voices of these empowered youth delegates resonate as a testament to the impact achievable when communities unite for a common cause.

Recruitment of Youth Delegates

In the pursuit of empowering youth and amplifying their voices, the School of Leadership embarked on a rigorous journey within the dynamic landscape of Sindh, Pakistan.

Meticulously vetting and interviewing numerous young individuals, our focus extended to vibrant minds across the region. The selected delegates emerged not only as active members of their respective student societies or professions but also as dedicated advocates for positive change, with a specific emphasis on fostering healthy families, ensuring gender representation. Grounded in the belief that societal improvement begins with effective family planning, these youth delegates from a diverse and inclusive team.

Comprising 12 females, 7 males, and 1 transgender, the team stands united in its commitment to shaping a better future through the empowerment of youth and the promotion of holistic family values including family planning and responsible sexual behaviors.

More on the Annual Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC) 2023

The Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC) stands as a transformative experience, leaving an indelible mark on countless young lives. Over 6 days, participants from diverse backgrounds, engage in enlightening sessions led by influential figures. YLC not only broadens horizons but sparks a commitment to social change. Beyond the conference, the School of Leadership's impactful Social Action Projects (SAP) initiative ensures that the inspiration cultivated at YLC blossoms into tangible social activism, with alumni effecting positive change across Pakistan.

20 Youth Delegates from the FHM Engage project actively participated in the 22nd Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC), where they synergized efforts to uplift, engage, and establish meaningful networks.

As an integral component of their SAP, these delegates proactively connected with over 1200 individuals nationwide. Their initiatives included the collection of firsthand data, organization of awareness and informative segments, and frequent advocacy that the FHM Engage project embodies, such as Exploring gender concepts and roles from different communities.

More on the School of Leadership – A Silent Revolution

The School of Leadership (SoL) believes: "Empowered youth drive change. Informed choices shape our future."

SoL is a way of life; a platform where you speak from your heart, where raw talent comes to groom and grow themselves into responsible citizens by overcoming their fear, challenging themselves and pushing themselves to their limits.

SoL offers a field of dreams that are then transformed into reality. We serve as a haven for the youth, their stakeholders and communities to come and express what they believe best serves the society and its betterment including education, growth, development, respect, character building, integrity, intelligence.

SoL is a platform that has impacted over 5,000,000 individuals over a period of 22 years. It’s a vision, a dream, of our founding members to cultivate distinction because each individual is born different and needs to live its own distinction. SoL does not put you in boxes, rather has a vision to encourage freedom all within the boundaries of discipline. Freedom of thoughts, of dreams, of explorations and actions. We take three major take-aways with us, wherever we go; Speaking, Listening and Experiences when we find people with thirst for knowledge, and those who have questions, who are seekers and in search of direction, we open our basket of learning tools and have open conversations to give them a lens to see what they have been looking at apathetically and make them see alternate perspectives.

FHM Engage Pakistan Program Manager Sonia Surani participated in the two-day, 24th Annual Population Research Conference that was held in collaboration with the Population Association of Pakistan in Lahore, Pakistan. This year's theme, "Healthy Families and Communities in a Changing Society - The Role of Family Planning," drew a diverse audience including government representatives, donors, development partners, young leaders, and academia. Technical discussions underscored the pressing need to revitalize family planning education and methods. The consensus highlighted the importance of engaging youth, adolescents, and men, integrating family planning into healthcare services as pivotal strategies for catalyzing positive change.

Sonia presented a poster on behalf of FHM Engage on “Addressing the ‘Youth’ Gap in the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey through a Youth-led Digital Survey,” which aligned with ongoing discussions emphasizing the significance of youth involvement to enhance the family planning landscape. Sonia noted that, “It reinforced my belief in the relevance of our direction, deeply immersed in the work of youth inclusion, and in considering the rights and voices of marginalized populations within our ongoing youth-led digital survey.” Sonia also noted she was proud to witness three of FHM Engage co-investigators, namely, Mr. Waqar Ali – CEO of the School of Leadership, Joshua Dilawar – Founder of the Institute of Social and Youth Development (ISYD), and Aradhiya Khan, a trans-rights activist from Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), serving as panelists and speakers in their distinguished capacities. Their presence validated our commitment to including the right partners and stakeholders for the survey.