The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and UNICEF have announced a $1.2 million partnership to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in Pakistan on 31 August, 2026 in Bangkok.
The two-year programme will provide better access to essential health services for around 410,000 mothers and newborns. It will focus on care during pregnancy, childbirth and the early weeks of a baby’s life.
The programme aims to increase antenatal care and deliveries at health facilities by 50%. It will also improve health facilities, the availability of medicines and medical supplies, and referral services for patients who need urgent treatment.
Frontline health workers will receive training to identify high-risk pregnancies and manage complications during childbirth. The programme will also focus on improving care for premature and sick newborns.
UNICEF said Pakistan faces serious challenges in maternal and newborn health, particularly in poor and rural communities. The initiative is part of a wider regional programme covering Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, which aims to reach 1.5 million mothers and 1.5 million newborns across the four countries.
