Islamabad, September 30, 2009 - Ms. Janet Paz-Castillo, Chief Health Office, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), along with Mr. Amanat Rasool, Director General, Ministry of Population Welfare, inaugurated a three-day workshop on contraceptive procurement: quality assurance, contracting, process management, monitoring and evaluation, according to a U.S. Embassy announcement today.

The workshop will train the staff from both the ministries in contraceptive procurement, process management, and monitoring for the improved supply of contraceptives to Pakistanis seeking birth-spacing.

"Timely and effective supply of reproductive health commodities is integral to health systems in Pakistan," said Ms. Paz-Castillo. "The U.S. Government is committed to supporting Pakistan in its health agenda - helping to build the foundation on which reproductive health commodities are available to Pakistanis to improve the quality of lives of mothers and children."

The USAID/ DELIVER PROJECT is working in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Population Welfare Department to improve the availability of contraceptives in the public sector.

"This assistance from the American people to the people of Pakistan is guided by our shared conviction that a healthy Pakistan can address the challenges and opportunities in a globalized, modern world," said Ms. Paz-Castillo.

Since 2002, the U.S. Government has provided more than $3.4 billion to Pakistan for improvements in economic growth, education, health, governance, and assistance for earthquake reconstruction.