Washington, D.C (GNP): As part of Pakistan’s official mental health engagement mission to the United States, the Honourable Dr Malik Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, visited Children’s National Hospital, Washington D.C., to strengthen collaboration on child and adolescent mental health in Pakistan.
The visit formed part of Pakistan’s participation in the Global Mental Health Summer Institute at George Washington University and broader efforts to expand international cooperation in mental health systems and child wellbeing.
The Minister was accompanied by Dr Syed Usman Hamdani, Founding Director of the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD), Shifa Tameer e Millat University, Islamabad, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at George Washington University.
The delegation was hosted by Dr Karen Smith, Executive Medical Director, Global Services, and Dr Adelaide Robb, Division Chief, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at Children’s National Hospital.
The visit began with an institutional tour highlighting innovative pediatric care and digital health models. The delegation visited the CICU Command Center, where discussions focused on telemedicine-enabled care delivery and technology-supported clinical coordination.
The delegation also toured the Sheikh Zayed Research Institute, where hospital leadership presented advances in translational research, engineering, and innovation in pediatric healthcare.
A strategic discussion followed on opportunities for international collaboration and Children’s National’s global engagement portfolio. A dedicated session on Pediatric Mental Health at Children’s National examined approaches to child and adolescent psychiatry, integrated behavioral health services, early intervention, and multidisciplinary care models.
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The Minister emphasized that investment in the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents is essential to Pakistan’s long-term social and economic development.
During the discussions, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening child and adolescent mental health through integration across health and education systems, expansion of community-based services, workforce development, and evidence-informed policymaking.
The delegation also outlined Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to advance the National Mental Health Policy and strengthen partnerships supporting Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health. Discussions highlighted priorities including support for vulnerable populations, school mental health, and climate-related mental health challenges.
The engagement concluded with discussions on potential collaboration in child and adolescent mental health services, workforce development, tele-mental health, research partnerships, and sustained institutional engagement between Pakistan and leading international centers of excellence.
The visit reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to building global partnerships and accelerating progress toward accessible, equitable, and high-quality mental healthcare for children, adolescents, and families.
