Gates Foundation joins US group to expand maternal health initiatives in Pakistan

The Junaid Family Foundation (JFF) has entered into a landmark Letter of Cooperation (LoC) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF, marking a significant step forward in enhancing maternal and newborn health in Pakistan.

This collaboration aims to scale up Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for women, particularly during pregnancy, through a multifaceted national approach.

Although Pakistan is already recognized as a global frontrunner in MMS adoption, the newly signed LoC formalizes an ongoing partnership dedicated to broadening access for all pregnant women. Key priorities include reinforcing supply chains, supporting research and implementation science, and increasing public awareness about maternal malnutrition.

With approximately 7 million pregnancies each year in Pakistan, the need is substantial. To date, nearly 2 million women have received UNIMMAP MMS supplements through joint contributions from JFF and Kirk Humanitarian, yet significant gaps in access remain.

“We are honored to collaborate with global leaders such as the Gates Foundation and UNICEF in advancing maternal health across Pakistan,” said Ansir Junaid, Chairman of the Junaid Family Foundation.

“Their global experience in MMS delivery complements our local expertise and ability to mobilize key networks within the country.” Junaid recently led a major conference in Islamabad to champion MMS for women nationwide.

The collaboration’s strategic focus includes advising federal and provincial health authorities on evidence-based policies to support MMS integration, providing technical support for the Strategic and Technical Working Group on MMS, and encouraging domestic production to improve affordability, accessibility, and quality through public-private partnerships.

Maternal undernutrition—including micronutrient deficiencies—remains a pressing public health challenge in Pakistan. MMS has been globally recognized as a cost-effective intervention proven to reduce low birth weight, stillbirths, and maternal anemia.

Officials from JFF, the Gates Foundation, and UNICEF collectively emphasized the importance of sustained, cross-sectoral collaboration with national and regional health ministries to ensure MMS access reaches high-need and underserved populations.

“This partnership signals a moment of momentum and hope,” said Jackie Range, Executive Director of JFF. “Our investment in maternal nutrition is not charity—it is a long-term strategy to strengthen communities, fuel economic growth, and create generational change.”