New USAID Director Visits Karachi

Karachi |19 July 2012

Jonathon Conly, recently appointed Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development, visited Karachi for the first time this week.

Mr. Conly visited the Indus Hospital in Korangi Crossing and toured the facility on Thursday. With USAID support, the hospital is piloting a radio frequency identification tag which will link patients to health workers' cell phones, in order to provide better care.

Mr. Conly also met with the head of Indus Hospital Dr. Abdul Bari Khan as well as Dr. Lubna Samad Aamir, head of the project. In discussion with the hospital's management committee, Mr. Conly appreciated the work of the Indus Hospital, and said, "Thank you for meeting with me today, I am glad to have the opportunity to learn more about the impressive work being done at Indus Hospital, and the ways USAID can work more closely with you in the future."

In addition to his hospital visit, Mr. Conly also paid a courtesy call on Secretary of Education Muhammad Siddique Memon. The Secretary thanked him for the support of the American people and briefed Mr. Conly on the progress being made in rehabilitating flood damaged schools and improving reading skills under the current 17.7 billion rupees grant from USAID.

During his visit to Karachi Mr. Conly also met with philanthropists, business people, and private foundations to discuss how USAID can best support humanitarian and health care efforts in Sindh Province.

The U.S. Government, through USAID, seeks to help Pakistanis lead healthier lives through increased access to quality family planning services, providing essential care to mothers and children, and a stronger health care sector.