Dr. Muhammad Zaeem Zia, Chief Executive Officer of IHRA, held a strategic meeting with Mercy Corps Pakistan to outline collaborative measures aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and disease surveillance in Islamabad. The Mercy Corps delegation was led by Country Director Arif Jabbar Khan and included Program Director Adeel Tahir and Communication Specialist Mamtaz Gohar.
The discussion emphasized the need for reinforced regulatory coordination to identify and notify missing tuberculosis cases, with a clear focus on linking private healthcare providers to designated TB treatment facilities. IHRA highlighted that stronger reporting channels and timely diagnosis are essential to improve case detection and ensure patients receive quality treatment.
Dr. Zia underlined IHRA’s commitment to spearhead joint awareness initiatives designed to raise public understanding of TB, promote early diagnosis and support strict adherence to treatment protocols. The Authority stressed that coordinated outreach and communication with providers and communities will be central to these efforts.
Both organizations explored mechanisms to enhance surveillance and operational coordination across Islamabad’s health network, aiming to reduce gaps in case reporting and referral pathways. Mercy Corps reiterated its readiness to support capacity building and communication strategies that complement IHRA’s regulatory role.
By encouraging partnerships and joint action, IHRA seeks to build a more responsive, accountable and accessible healthcare system for the people of Islamabad, with particular emphasis on closing detection and treatment gaps for tuberculosis.
