PESHAWAR
\nSignificant progress in routine immunization services across high-risk districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was highlighted during a Provincial Progress Review workshop held here to evaluate implementation of \u201cImproving Immunization through Community Engagement and Health System Strengthening,\u201d initiative.
\nThe initiative underway since April 2025 in 36 high risk union councils of Peshawar, Khyber, Karak and Kurram districts is jointly executed by Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF) with strategic oversight by Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and operational support by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
\nDr. Omar Faisal, Deputy Director EPI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chaired the meeting attended by District Health Officers, EPI Coordinators, EPI Data Focal Persons, representatives from SABAWON Peshawar and ADWO Karak.
\nParticipants were informed that MERF has trained and deployed 52 Community Outreach Workers and 50 Vaccinators to improve community awareness, strengthen public trust in immunization, increase vaccine acceptance and ensure that all eligible children receive protection against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
\nThe project also focuses on protecting pregnant women and new-borns against tetanus and diphtheria. These diseases remain among the leading causes of illness and deaths among children under five years of age in Pakistan.
\nDuring the workshop, MERF\u2019s district teams presented detailed progress on community mobilization and vaccination services. The presentations showed encouraging improvements in immunization coverage across all antigens.
\nAppreciating the achievements, Dr. Omar Faisal commended MERF\u2019s field teams for their commitment and effective implementation, noting that the project had contributed to measurable improvements in routine immunization coverage.
\nThe participants particularly appreciated MERF\u2019s community engagement model, which includes sensitization of local influencers, engagement of respected religious scholars and dissemination of religious endorsements, fatwas and video testimonials through social media to address vaccine hesitancy and strengthen public confidence in immunization.
\nSpecial appreciation was expressed for \u201cChild-to-Home\u201d initiative, under which students in schools and madrassas are educated on the importance of immunization in collaboration with their teachers.
\nThe students then serve as ambassadors for vaccination by sharing key messages with their families, particularly mothers and sisters, thereby encouraging timely vaccination of children.
\nHealth Department officials including DHO Karak, Dr. Shoaib Khattak, Assistant Director EPI, Waqar Ahmad, Deputy DHO Khyber, Dr. Asad, EPI Coordinator Khyber, Dr. Mohibullah, EPI Coordinator Peshawar, Dr. Arif and Dr. Khalid Gul, EPI Coordinator Kurram, commended the dedication and performance of district teams, vaccinators and community outreach workers.
\nOne of the major achievements highlighted during the workshop was the establishment of 10 new EPI centres, including nine in Kurram and one in Khyber, where routine immunization services were previously unavailable.
\nThe participants noted that these centres are now providing regular vaccination services to hundreds of children every month, significantly improving access to life-saving vaccines in underserved communities.
\nThe workshop also reviewed operational challenges and implementation bottlenecks. Participants discussed practical solutions and agreed on coordinated measures to further strengthen service delivery and improve immunization performance across the project districts.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, Dr. Junaid Khan, Project Manager MERF, thanked EOC KP, EPI KP and District Health Offices for their continuous guidance and support.
\n\u201cThe progress achieved under this project reflects the strength of partnership between the government and development partners.
\nWhatever MERF has accomplished in improving immunization services would not have been possible without the unwavering support of EOC KP, EPI KP, and the district health authorities,\u201d he commented.
\nIn his concluding remarks, Dr. Omar Faisal, Deputy Director EPI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, appreciated the efforts of all participants and thanked MERF for organizing the Provincial Progress Review Workshop.
\nHe reaffirmed EPI KP\u2019s commitment to providing technical guidance and support to civil society organizations working to improve routine immunization and protect children and mothers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Significant progress in routine immunization services across high-risk districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was highlighted during a Provincial Progress Review workshop held here to evaluate implementation of \u201cImproving Immunization through Community Engagement and Health System Strengthening,\u201d initiative. The initiative underway since April 2025 in 36 high risk union councils of Peshawar, Khyber, Karak and Kurram […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":554140,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-554127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-peshawar"],"yoast_head":"\n