ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: The US government through its development agency - USAID - is providing significant assistance for health sector development in Pakistan, US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker said on Wednesday.

During his meeting with Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan, the ambassador emphasized that US assistance was according to the health sector priorities of Pakistan. Therefore, the US assistance was directed towards priority health programmes, like prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis and different programmes to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates.

The meeting was arranged to explore new areas to further extend US support to Pakistan in the health sector. The health minister appreciated the US support and highlighted the key areas of the national health policy.

The meeting also discussed issues like strengthening the public health surveillance system in Pakistan and collaboration between the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the US Centre for the Disease Control (CDC).

The minister also sought more cooperation in research and exchange of experts in the sector. It was noted that there was a need to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Pakistan-USAID collaborative programme in the health sector. It was decided that periodic monitoring meetings would be held at the national level in which provincial officials would be invited.