LUMS Partners with ThinkWell Global to Promote Health Financing in Pakistan
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LUMS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 26, 2024, with ThinkWell Institute, USA, a global health systems development organisation focused on achieving universal health coverage. The agreement promises diverse collaboration opportunities between the two institutes to promote initiatives on health financing in Pakistan, with a particular focus on gender and climate.
ThinkWell works in more than 20 countries to advance universal health coverage. Its main areas of expertise are providing technical advice to governments, especially in lower-middle income countries, related to healthcare financing, human resources in health, and health governance.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS, and Dr. Shabana Haider, Country Director, ThinkWell Global, Pakistan. Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost, LUMS, and Dr. Hadia Majid, Associate Professor and Chair, CNM Department of Economics, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences, LUMS, were also present at the signing. Other representatives from ThinkWell Global included Ms. Rahema Hasan, Technical Specialist, and Mr. Muhammad Taha, Programme Analyst.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Haider expressed excitement at collaborating with LUMS through continued dialogue, seminars, and workshops. She also proposed opportunities for LUMS students and graduates to learn about health financing through fellowships and internships at ThinkWell.
“While partnering with LUMS is a prestigious opportunity for ThinkWell, it also allows us to expose young people to the field of health financing. This is an emerging field in Pakistan, with not many experts in it. Therefore, this is a win-win situation for us all,” she said.
Dr. Majid noted that LUMS’ partnership with ThinkWell addresses significant topical issues that require focus in Pakistan, such as women’s health and climate concerns.
“It is exciting to be collaborating with ThinkWell because we would get the opportunity to work broadly on areas related to health while also focusing on women's health, the nexus between health and climate financing, and its gendered impact on health,” she commented. “These areas are unfortunately neglected in Pakistan, as far as public spaces are concerned, so working on them would be a significant step forward. We’re hoping to have a big impact on women’s health, which also affects children’s health.”
LUMS looks forward to this partnership and hopes to positively contribute to Pakistan’s health sector alongside ThinkWell.
