KARACHI – FP2030 Working Group Subgroup on Youth & Adolescent Engagement meeting was held in Karachi, chaired by Dr. Talib Lashari, Technical Advisor Costed Implementation Plan, Population Welfare Department(PWD) Sindh and Focal Person for FP2030.
The meeting, which included key representatives from the PWD, Education Department and development partnersfrom the public and private sector, featured notable attendees such as Dr. Nariman Baloch, Director Medical (PWD Sindh), Shah Faisal Zahir, Director Admin & Communications(PWD Sindh), Dr. Fouzia Khan, Chief Advisor (School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh) and Dr. Nuzhat Anjum, Assistant Director (PWD Sindh).
During the meeting, USAID’s FrontierHealth Markets (FHM) Engage – represented by core consortium partner Pathfinder International –introduced two major initiatives: the Youth Council for Sustainable Action, a new platform to amplify youth voices in reproductive health, and Bolo Health by oladoc, a comprehensive digital platform offering tailored health services for youth.
During the meeting, Dr. Lashari highlighted the importance of technology, social media, and peer education in enhancing outreach and impact, stating, “Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the catalysts of change today. By providing them with the necessary tools and platforms, we can empower them to take charge of their health and future.”
Abid Zuberi, CEO of oladoc, expressed excitement about the Bolo Health launch, noting, “We are thrilled to launch Bolo Health in collaboration with FHM Engage and Pathfinder International. This platform is a step forward in bridging the gap between youth and healthcare resources, ensuring that young people can access the information and support they need to make informed decisions.”
As a member of the CIP subgroup, the youth council for sustainable action plays a crucial role in representing youth voices at this prestigious forum at its regular meetings. They are also responsible for advancing the objectives of the CIP subgroup and adhering to the general Terms of Reference for its members.
Key outcomes of the meeting includedthe induction of the Youth Council for Sustainable Action, Greenstar Social Marketing, School of Leadership, andoladoc into the FP2030 working group subgroup, aiming to integrate youth perspectives into healthcare advocacy and develop local health solutions.
There was a strong emphasis on leveraging technology, social media, and peer education for youth health initiatives.A requestwas also made by an attendee, for increased government grants and funding for youth-ledcommunity-based organizationsto drive innovation and positive change, and the need for strategic coordination and collaboration among youth groups and stakeholders to fully utilize youth-led solutions.
