Launch of the ‘Youth Council for Sustainable Action’ and BOLO Health – a digital health marketplace for youth

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan – USAID’s flagship private sector health project, Frontier Health Markets (FHM) Engage, has launched the Youth Council for Sustainable Action in Sindh. The youth council aims to amplify youth voices and promote sustainable health practices, particularly in family planning services across Pakistan.

FHM Engage is a global cooperative agreement that provides technical assistance to support local actors to improve the ability of health markets to meet supply-side capacity gaps and consumer preferences, contributing to equitable provision of and access to high-quality family planning and other health services and products in mixed health systems.

As one of the core consortium partners of FHM Engage, Pathfinder International, renowned for its community-led health programs globally, brings expertise to ensure meaningful youth engagement in healthcare decision-making. “As the key implementer of the FHM Engage activity in Pakistan, Pathfinder International is proud to contribute to the launch of this initiative that empowers young people to actively shape interventions that enhance their health and overall well-being,” stated Madiha Latif, Country Director at Pathfinder International, Pakistan.

The Youth Council for Sustainable Action signifies a strategic effort by FHM Engage in partnership with Pathfinder International, to develop a youth council, brand and a digital platform to collectively empower youth to shape the discourse on their reproductive health.  

The Youth Council for Sustainable Action comprises representatives from six diverse organizations across Sindh, including the Baithak, Center for Sustainable Development, Collective Pakistan, Indus Youth Welfare Organization, Jagruti and School of Leadership. These organizations converge under the common goal of advocating for accessible and informed health choices among Pakistani youth. Through a recent election, the Indus Youth Welfare Organization was selected as the President and the Center for Sustainable Development as the General Secretary of the Council.

oladoc has pioneered a digital platform called ‘Bolo Health’ to deliver sexual and reproductive health services tailored for the youth. Derived from the Urdu word for ‘speak,’ Bolo embodies a call to action for youth to express their health needs and highlights Bolo Health’s commitment to foster dialogue and awareness around family planning issues in Pakistan. The Bolo Health platform offers certified doctor consultations, products, and health information, all conveniently accessible privately and online. This initiative aims to empower young individuals by providing them with reliable authentic resources and support to make informed decisions about their health.

From June 13 to 14, 2024 the School of Leadership convened Youth Council for Sustainable Action’s inaugural session and a capacity building training for young men and women representing youth led organizations. The session facilitated discussions on the council’s scope, norms and the strategic vision behind Bolo Health. “We are thrilled to launch the Youth Council for Sustainable Action and introduce Bolo Health to the community,” said Waqar Ali, CEO of the School of Leadership. “This initiative underscores our commitment to empowering youth to take charge of their health and advocate for positive change.”

Youth Council for Sustainable Action’s collaborative approach promises to drive meaningful impact by integrating youth perspectives into the fabric of healthcare advocacy in Pakistan by actively participating in public-private dialogues and advocacy. As Bolo Health continues to evolve, it seeks to inspire a generation of young Pakistanis to embrace proactive health practices and contribute to a healthier future for Pakistan.