ISLAMABAD — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and UNICEF have announced a $1.2 million contribution to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare in Pakistan. The two-year grant is part of a broader regional collaboration designed to expand lifesaving healthcare services across four South Asian nations: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

In Pakistan, where more than 700 newborns die and around 500 babies are stillborn every day, the initiative will target 410,000 mothers and newborns to ensure continuous, high-quality care from early pregnancy through the postpartum period.

“The generous support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is helping UNICEF strengthen the health systems and services needed to give children the best possible start in life. Investing in sustainable and quality maternal and newborn care today means saving precious lives and building a healthier, more prosperous Pakistan.”

— Pernille Ironside, UN Resident Coordinator Pakistan (a.i.) and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan

“We are grateful and pleased to continue our long-standing collaboration with UNICEF to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children and mothers in Pakistan and South Asia. The Church seeks to extend care to an ever-increasing number of God’s children in need.”

— Elder Kelly R. Johnson, Asia Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Key Program Goals & Scope

• Expanding Access: Aims to increase antenatal care coverage and institutional delivery rates by 50% across target districts in Pakistan.
• Regional Reach: Part of a broader South Asia push to reach 1.5 million mothers and 1.5 million newborns across Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• Frontline Workforce Training: Building the capacity of community health workers and facility staff to identify and manage high-risk pregnancies and birth complications.
• System Infrastructure: Upgrading health facilities, securing supply chains for essential medicines, and improving specialized care for small and sick newborns.
• Data & Digital Integration: Strengthening referral networks and health data governance for real-time monitoring and evidence-based clinical decisions.

Addressing the Healthcare Crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan currently has the second-highest neonatal mortality rate globally, compounded by remote geographical barriers, inadequate supply chains, malnutrition, and gaps in emergency referral networks.

This new grant builds upon prior joint efforts between UNICEF and the Church, which established 14 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers across Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh to integrate pediatric health, nutrition, and child protection services.